Surgical instruments including a set of cutting blades for performing an osteotomy

ABSTRACT

Surgical instruments and methods for performing an osteotomy are disclosed herein. A surgical instrument includes a body with a distal end, a proximal end, a first surface, and a second surface. The surgical instrument can include cutting blades positioned on the first surface and the second surface. The surgical instrument can include columns of cutting blades positioned on the first surface and/or the second surface. The surgical instrument can include rows of cutting blades positioned on the first surface and/or the second surface.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-In-Part of and claims priority toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/538,781, filed on Nov. 30, 2021,which is a Continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/537,495, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,253,273, filed onAug. 9, 2019, which is a Continuation-In-Part of and claims priority toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/459,555, now U.S. Pat. No.11,253,272, filed on Jul. 1, 2019, the contents of each of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY

The present technology relates generally to surgical cutting apparatus,and more particularly to, surgical instruments for performingosteotomies.

BACKGROUND

Surgical cutting instruments come in many shapes and sizes. Inperforming an osteotomy with a single-sided device, the user (e.g., aphysician, surgeon, etc.) is often required to perform multiple cutsand/or passes to achieve a desired shape and/or osteotomy. Further,multiple cuts and/or passes with using a surgical instrument can resultin inconsistencies in shape and/or size of the resulting osteotomy indifferent patients. In other words, it takes more time to perform aosteotomy than is otherwise needed and/or there is a degree ofinconsistency and/or inaccuracy when a traditional surgical instrumentis utilized to perform an osteotomy.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments provide surgical instruments and methods forperforming an osteotomy. A surgical instrument includes a body with adistal end, a proximal end, a first surface, and a second surface. Thesurgical instrument can include cutting blades positioned on the firstsurface and the second surface. The surgical instrument can includecolumns of cutting blades positioned on the first surface and/or thesecond surface. The surgical instrument can include rows of cuttingblades positioned on the first surface and/or the second surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To readily understand the advantages and benefits of the technology, amore particular description of the technology briefly described abovewill be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that areillustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawingsdepict typical embodiments of the technology, and are therefore not tobe considered to be limiting of its scope, the technology will bedescribed and explained with additional specificity and detail throughthe use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A through 1D are schematic diagrams illustrating variousembodiments of a surgical instrument including multiple columns ofcutting blades;

FIGS. 2A through 2D are schematic diagrams illustrating variousembodiments of a surgical instrument including multiple rows of cuttingblades;

FIGS. 3A through 3E are schematic diagrams illustrating various anotherembodiments of a surgical instrument including multiple columns ofcutting blades;

FIGS. 4A through 4F are schematic diagrams illustrating variousembodiments of a double-sided surgical instrument including multiplecolumns of cutting blades;

FIGS. 5A through 5F are schematic diagram illustrating various otherembodiments of a double-sided surgical instrument including multiplecolumns of cutting blades;

FIGS. 6A through 6D are schematic diagram illustrating variousembodiments of a double-sided surgical instrument including multiplerows of cutting blades;

FIGS. 7A through 7D are schematic diagram illustrating variousembodiments of a double-sided surgical instrument including multiplerows of cutting blades and multiple columns of cutting blades;

FIGS. 8A through 8D are schematic diagram illustrating various otherembodiments of a double-sided surgical instrument including multiplerows of cutting blades and multiple columns of cutting blades;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic diagram illustrating various furtherembodiments of a double-sided surgical instrument including multiplerows of cutting blades and multiple columns of cutting blades;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are schematic diagram illustrating various additionalembodiments of a double-sided surgical instrument including multiplerows of cutting blades and multiple columns of cutting blades; and

FIGS. 11 through 14 are schematic flow diagrams of various embodimentsof a method for aligning two bones connected at a joint.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It should be understood that the language used in the present disclosurehas been principally selected for readability and instructionalpurposes, and not to limit the scope of the subject matter disclosedherein in any manner. Further, reference throughout this specificationto “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus,appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” andsimilar language throughout this specification may, but do notnecessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, but mean “one or more butnot all embodiments” unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms“including,” “comprising,” “having,” and variations thereof mean“including, but not limited to” unless expressly specified otherwise. Anenumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the itemsare mutually exclusive and/or mutually inclusive, unless expresslyspecified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” also refer to “oneor more” unless expressly specified otherwise.

In addition, as used herein, the term “set” can mean “one or more,”unless expressly specified otherwise. The term “sets” can mean multiplesof or a plurality of “one or mores,” “ones or more,” and/or “ones ormores” consistent with set theory, unless expressly specified otherwise.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics ofthe embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner. One skilled inthe relevant art will recognize that the embodiments may be practicedwithout one or more of the specific features or advantages of aparticular embodiment. In other instances, additional features andadvantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not bepresent in all embodiments. Aspects of the embodiments are describedbelow with reference to schematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematicblock diagrams of methods, apparatuses, and systems according toembodiments. The schematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic blockdiagrams in the Figures illustrate the structure, functionality, andoperation of possible implementations of apparatuses, systems, andmethods according to various embodiments.

It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, thefunctions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in theFigures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, beexecuted substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes beexecuted in the reverse order. Other steps and methods may be conceivedthat are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more blocks,or portions thereof, of the illustrated Figures.

Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in theflowchart and/or block diagrams, they are understood not to limit thescope of the corresponding embodiments. Indeed, some arrows or otherconnectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the depictedembodiment. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoringperiod of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depictedembodiment. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagramsand/or flowchart diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the blockdiagrams and/or flowchart diagrams, can be implemented by specialpurpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions oracts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and code.

The present technology may include any type of surgical instrument andis not limited to the style of surgical instrument depicted in thedrawings. Furthermore, the described features, structures, orcharacteristics of the various embodiments may be combined in anysuitable manner. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize,however, that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of thespecific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and soforth. In other instances, well-known structures, and/or materials arenot shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of anembodiment.

Turning now to the Figures, FIGS. 1A through 1D are schematic diagramsillustrating various views of one embodiment of a surgical instrument100. In various embodiments, the surgical instrument 100 can be utilizedto perform a wedge-shaped osteotomy. Further, the wedge-shaped osteotomycan be achieved with a single cut or pass utilizing the surgicalinstrument 100.

A surgical instrument 100 may be constructed of any suitable materialthat can cut bone. In various embodiments, the surgical instrument 100is constructed of a sterilized suitable material that can cut bone. Insome embodiments, the surgical instrument 100 includes stainless steel,among other suitable materials that are possible and contemplatedherein. In additional or alternative embodiments, the surgicalinstrument 100 includes surgical grade stainless steel, among othersuitable surgical grade materials that are possible and contemplatedherein.

At least in the illustrated embodiment, the surgical instrument 100includes, among other features, a body 102 including at least a bottomsurface 104, a top surface 106, a distal end 108, and a proximal end110, a set of cutting blades 112 positioned on the body 102, a set ofcutting teeth 114 positioned on the distal end 108, and an attachmentmechanism 116 positioned on the proximal end 110. A body 102 may includeany suitable dimensions that can perform an osteotomy. In variousembodiments, the body 102 includes dimensions that are suitable forperforming an osteotomy on a human.

In various embodiments, the body 102 includes a length L1 (see FIG. 1B)in the range of about 15 mm to about 70 mm, among other ranges of lengthand/or lengths that are possible and contemplated herein. In someembodiments, the body 102 includes a length L1 of about 20 mm, amongother lengths that are possible and contemplated herein.

The body 102 further includes a width W1 (see FIG. 1B) at the distal end108 and a width W2 (see FIG. 1B) at the proximal end 110. In variousembodiments, the width W1 is in the range of about 5 mm to about 30 mm,among other ranges of widths and/or widths that are possible andcontemplated herein. In some embodiments, the width W1 is about 7.5 mm,among other widths that are possible and contemplated herein. Inadditional or alternative embodiments, the width W2 is in the range ofabout 5 mm to about 70 mm, among other ranges of widths and/or widthsthat are possible and contemplated herein. In some embodiments, thewidth W2 is about 11 mm, among other widths that are possible andcontemplated herein.

In some embodiments, the width W1 and the width W2 are the same width orsubstantially the same width. In other embodiments, the width W2 isgreater than the width W1 such that the proximate end 110 is wider thanthe distal end 108 or, alternatively, the distal end 108 is narrowerthan the proximate end 110 (e.g., the width W1 is less than the widthW2). That is, in various embodiments, the surgical instrument 100includes a tapered shape and/or tapers from the distal end 108 to theproximate end 110.

A bottom surface 104 may include any suitable shape and/or profile thatcan facilitate or assist the surgical instrument 100 in performing anosteotomy (e.g., a wedge-shaped osteotomy). In various embodiments, thebottom surface 104 includes a flat or substantially flat surface, amongother profiles and/or planes that are possible and contemplated herein.

A top surface 106 may include any suitable profile upon which one ormore cutting blades 112 can be positioned. In various embodiments, thetop surface 106 includes a slope 118 (see FIGS. 1C and 1D) that extendsupward and/or away from the bottom surface 104 and the distal end 108.The slope 118 may include any suitable grade (e.g., rise over run) thatcan facilitate and/or assist the surgical instrument 100 in performingan osteotomy and particularly, a wedge-shaped osteotomy. That is, thetop surface 106 and/or surgical instrument 100 may include any suitablegrade that can facilitate and/or assist the surgical instrument 100 inperforming a wedge-shaped osteotomy in one cut and/or one pass.

In various embodiments, the slope 118 includes a grade in the range ofabout zero degrees (0° or flat) to about fifteen degrees (15°), amongother ranges of grades, grades, and/or slopes that are possible andcontemplated herein. In other words, an angle θ in the range of about 0°to about 15° (e.g., the angle θ=0°, 1°, 2°, 3°, 4°, 5°, 6°, 7°, 8°, 9°,10°, 11°, 12°, 13°, 14°, or 15° and/or the angle θ≈0°, 1°, 2°, 3°, 4°,5°, 6°, 7°, 8°, 9°, 10°, 11°, 12°, 13°, 14°, or 15°) is defined betweenthe top surface 106 and the bottom surface 104 beginning at the distalend 108 and extending upward and toward the proximate end 110, as shownin FIGS. 1C and 1D. In some embodiments, the slope 118 includes a gradeof about seven (7°) degrees (e.g., the angle θ=7° or the angle θ≈7°),among other suitable grades and/or slopes that are possible andcontemplated herein.

In several embodiments, the top surface 106 includes a set of cuttingblades 112 positioned thereon. As illustrated, the set of cutting blades112 are spaced apart and positioned vertically to form a set of columnsof cutting blades 112.

A set of cutting blades 112 may include any suitable quantity of cuttingblades 112 and/or quantity of columns of cutting blades 112 that canfacilitate and/or assist the surgical instrument 100 in performing anosteotomy and particularly, a wedge-shaped osteotomy. In variousembodiments, the top surface 106 includes a suitable quantity of cuttingblades 112 so that the surgical instrument 100 can perform awedge-shaped osteotomy in one cut and/or one pass.

In various embodiments, the top surface 106 includes a quantity ofcutting blades 112 in the range of about 2 cutting blades 112 to about40 cutting blades 112, among other ranges of quantities of cuttingblades 112 and/or quantities of cutting blades 112 that are possible andcontemplated herein. In some embodiments, the top surface 106 includes12 cutting blades 112, among other quantities of cutting blades 112 thatare possible and contemplated herein.

While the surgical instrument 100 is shown with a top surface 106including 8 cutting blades 112, the various embodiments of the surgicalinstrument 100 are not limited to 8 cutting blades 112. That is, variousother embodiments of a surgical instrument 100 can include a differentquantity of cutting blades 112 such that the top surface 106 can includea greater quantity of cutting blades 112 than 8 cutting blades 112 or asmaller quantity of cutting blades 112 than 8 cutting blades 112.

In some embodiments, the cutting blades 112 may be included on theentirety or substantially the entirety of the top surface 106. In otherembodiments, the cutting blades 112 may be included on a portion or atleast a portion of the top surface 106. That is, the cutting blades 112may extend partially or fully from the distal end 108 to the proximalend 110.

The portion of the top surface 106 including the cutting blades 112 mayinclude any suitable sized portion that can produce a wedge-shapedosteotomy. Various embodiments of the surgical instrument 100 mayinclude varying sized portions of the top surface 106 including thecutting blades 112 so that different sized and/or wedge-shapedosteotomies can be obtained. That is, different embodiments may includecutting blades 112 with differing lengths to produce different sizedand/or wedge-shaped osteotomies.

A cutting blade 112 may include any suitable shape that can facilitateand/or assist the surgical instrument 100 in performing an osteotomy(e.g., a wedge-shaped osteotomy). In various embodiments, a cuttingblade 112 can include a curved blade (e.g., a vertically curved blade),a straight blade, waved blade (e.g., a horizontally curved blade), or awavy blade (e.g., a blade with multiple horizontal curves), among othersuitable shapes that can facilitate cutting bone that are possible andcontemplated herein. In additional or alternative embodiments, a cuttingblade 112 can include a straight cutting edge and/or a serrated cuttingedge, among other cutting edges that are possible and contemplatedherein.

In some embodiments, all of the cutting blades 112 in the set of cuttingblades 112 on the top surface 106 include the same or substantially thesame shape. In alternative embodiments, at least two cutting blades 112in the set of cutting blades 112 on the top surface 106 includedifferent shapes or substantially different shapes. In one non-limitingexample, at least one cutting blade 112 includes a straight blade and atleast one cutting blade 112 includes a curved blade (or othernon-straight blade), among other shapes and/or combinations of shapesthat are possible and contemplated herein. In an additional oralternative non-limiting example, the straight blade(s) and/or thecurved blade(s) include a serrated cutting edge.

In additional or alternative embodiments, a set of cutting blades 112can include at least two subsets of cutting blades 112 in which a firstsubset includes two or more cutting blades 112 including a first shapeand at least a second subset that includes two or more cutting blades112 including a second, different shape. In some embodiments, one ormore of the cutting blades 112 in one or more of the subsets of cuttingblades 112 includes a serrated edge.

In further additional or alternative embodiments, the first subset ofcutting blades 112 and the second subset of cutting blades 112 includethe same quantity of cutting blades 112. In other embodiments, the firstsubset of cutting blades 112 and the second subset of cutting blades 112include different quantities of cutting blades 112.

In yet further additional or alternative embodiments, the cutting blades112 in the first subset of cutting blades 112 and the cutting blades 112in the second subset of cutting blades 112 can be positioned in apattern. The pattern may include any suitable pattern that can assist inand/or facilitate performing an osteotomy (e.g., a wedge-shapedosteotomy). In some embodiments, the pattern may include cutting blades112 with different shapes in an alternating pattern to providealternating columns of cutting blades 112.

A cutting blade 112 may include any suitable height that can facilitateand/or assist the surgical instrument 100 in performing an osteotomy(e.g., a wedge-shaped osteotomy). In various embodiments, the cuttingblades 112 can include a height in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 30mm, among other suitable heights that can facilitate cutting bone thatare possible and contemplated herein. In some embodiments, the cuttingblades 112 include a height of 0.75 mm.

In some embodiments, all of the cutting blades 112 in the set of cuttingblades 112 on the top surface 106 include a uniform height (see FIG.1C). In alternative embodiments, one or more of the cutting blades 112on the top surface 106 include a height that gradually increases fromthe distal end 108 to the proximal end 110 (see FIG. 1D).

As shown, the distal end 108 includes a set of cutting teeth 114 (e.g.,a single tooth 114 or multiple teeth 114) positioned thereon. A set ofcutting teeth 114 may include any suitable quantity of teeth 114 thatcan assist in and/or facilitate initiating an osteotomy andparticularly, a wedge-shaped osteotomy, when oscillated.

In various embodiments, the set of cutting teeth 114 includes a quantityof cutting teeth 114 in the range of one (1) cutting tooth 114 to about50 cutting teeth 114, among other ranges of quantities and/or quantitiesof cutting teeth 114 that are possible and contemplated herein. In someembodiments, a set of cutting teeth 114 includes about 8 cutting teeth114, among other quantities of cutting teeth 114 that are possible andcontemplated herein.

In some embodiments, the set of cutting teeth 114 are positioned on thedistal end 108 in a straight line or substantially straight line. Inother embodiments, the set of cutting teeth 114 are positioned along acurve on the distal end 108 defined by a radius R1.

The radius R1 may be any suitable radius and/or curvature that canassist in and/or facilitate initiating an osteotomy (e.g., awedge-shaped osteotomy) when oscillated. In various embodiments, theradius R1 is in the range of about 5 mm to about 80 mm, among otherranges of lengths and/or lengths that can define an amount and/or degreeof curvature that are possible and contemplated herein. In someembodiments, the radius R1 is about 25 mm, among other lengths that candefine an amount and/or degree of curvature that are possible andcontemplated herein.

In some embodiments, the set of cutting teeth 114 on the distal end 108may define a cutting tip 120 that can initiate an osteotomy (e.g., awedge osteotomy). Further, the cutting blades 112 positioned along thesingle-plane slope 118 may define a cutting slope 118 that can performthe osteotomy to produce a wedge-shaped cut. In various embodiments, thecoordination of the cutting tip 120 and the cutting slope 118 can allowthe surgical instrument 100 to produce a wedge-shaped osteotomy in asingle cut and/or single pass.

As further shown, the proximal end 110 includes an attachment mechanism116 positioned thereon. The attachment mechanism 116 may include anysuitable size dimensions, shape, and/or configuration that enablesattachments of the surgical instrument 100 to a surgical instrument (notshown). That is, while the attachment mechanism 116 is shown asincluding particular relative size dimensions, shapes, andconfigurations, the various embodiments of the surgical instrument 100are not limited to the illustrated attachment mechanism 116. That is,other embodiments of the surgical instrument 100 may include one or moredifferent relative size dimension(s), shapes, and/or configurations.

FIGS. 2A through 2D are schematic diagrams illustrating various views ofanother embodiment of a surgical instrument 200. In various embodiments,the surgical instrument 200 can be utilized to perform a wedge-shapedosteotomy. Further, the wedge-shaped osteotomy can be achieved with asingle cut or pass utilizing the surgical instrument 200.

A surgical instrument 200 may be constructed of any suitable materialthat can cut bone. In various embodiments, the surgical instrument 200is constructed of a sterilized suitable material that can cut bone. Insome embodiments, the surgical instrument 200 includes stainless steel,among other suitable materials that are possible and contemplatedherein. In additional or alternative embodiments, the surgicalinstrument 200 includes surgical grade stainless steel, among othersuitable surgical grade materials that are possible and contemplatedherein.

At least in the illustrated embodiment, the surgical instrument 200includes, among other features, a body 202 including at least a bottomsurface 204, a top surface 206, a distal end 208, and a proximal end210, a set of cutting blades 212 positioned on the body 202, a set ofcutting teeth 214 positioned on the distal end 208, and an attachmentmechanism 216 positioned on the proximal end 210. A body 202 may includeany suitable dimensions that can perform an osteotomy. In variousembodiments, the body 202 includes dimensions that are suitable forperforming an osteotomy on a human.

In various embodiments, the body 202 includes a length L2 (see FIG. 2B)in the range of about 15 mm to about 70 mm, among other ranges of lengthand/or lengths that are possible and contemplated herein. In someembodiments, the body 202 includes a length L2 of about 20 mm, amongother lengths that are possible and contemplated herein.

The body 202 further includes a width W3 (see FIG. 2B) at the distal end208 and a width W4 (see FIG. 2B) at the proximal end 210. In variousembodiments, the width W3 is in the range of about 5 mm to about 30 mm,among other ranges of widths and/or widths that are possible andcontemplated herein. In some embodiments, the width W3 is about 7.5 mm,among other widths that are possible and contemplated herein. Inadditional or alternative embodiments, the width W4 is in the range ofabout 5 mm to about 70 mm, among other ranges of widths and/or widthsthat are possible and contemplated herein. In some embodiments, thewidth W4 is about 11 mm, among other widths that are possible andcontemplated herein.

In some embodiments, the width W3 and the width W4 are the same width orsubstantially the same width. In other embodiments, the width W4 isgreater than the width W3 such that the proximate end 210 is wider thanthe distal end 208 or, alternatively, the distal end 208 is narrowerthan the proximate end 210 (e.g., the width W3 is less than the widthW4). That is, in various embodiments, the surgical instrument 200includes a tapered shape and/or tapers from the distal end 208 to theproximate end 210.

A bottom surface 204 may include any suitable shape and/or profile thatcan facilitate or assist the surgical instrument 200 in performing anosteotomy (e.g., a wedge-shaped osteotomy). In various embodiments, thebottom surface 204 includes a flat or substantially flat surface, amongother profiles and/or planes that are possible and contemplated herein.

A top surface 206 may include any suitable profile upon which one ormore cutting blades 212 can be positioned. In various embodiments, thetop surface 206 includes a slope 218 (see FIGS. 2C and 2D) that extendsupward and/or away from the bottom surface 204 and the distal end 208.The slope 218 may include any suitable grade (e.g., rise over run) thatcan facilitate and/or assist the surgical instrument 200 in performingan osteotomy and particularly, a wedge-shaped osteotomy. That is, thetop surface 206 and/or surgical instrument 200 may include any suitablegrade that can facilitate and/or assist the surgical instrument 200 inperforming a wedge-shaped osteotomy in one cut and/or one pass.

In various embodiments, the slope 218 includes a grade in the range ofabout 0° (or flat) to about 15°, among other ranges of grades, grades,and/or slopes that are possible and contemplated herein. In other words,an angle θ in the range of about 0° to about 15° (e.g., the angle θ=0°,1°, 2°, 3°, 4°, 5°, 6°, 7°, 8°, 9°, 10°, 11°, 12°, 13°, 14°, or 15°and/or the angle θ≈0°, 1°, 2°, 3°, 4°, 5°, 6°, 7°, 8°, 9°, 10°, 11°,12°, 13°, 14°, or 15°) is defined between the top surface 206 and thebottom surface 204 beginning at the distal end 208 and extending upwardand toward the proximate end 210, as shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D. In someembodiments, the slope 218 includes a grade of about 7° degrees (e.g.,the angle θ=7° or the angle θ≈7°), among other suitable grades and/orslopes that are possible and contemplated herein.

In several embodiments, the top surface 206 includes a set of cuttingblades 212 positioned thereon. As illustrated, the set of cutting blades212 are spaced apart and positioned horizontally to form a set of rowsof cutting blades 212.

A set of cutting blades 212 may include any suitable quantity of cuttingblades 212 and/or quantity of rows of cutting blades 212 that canfacilitate and/or assist the surgical instrument 200 in performing anosteotomy and particularly, a wedge-shaped osteotomy. In variousembodiments, the top surface 206 includes a suitable quantity of cuttingblades 212 or rows of cutting blades 212 so that the surgical instrument200 can perform a wedge-shaped osteotomy in one cut and/or one pass.

In various embodiments, the top surface 206 includes a quantity ofcutting blades 212 in the range of about two (2) cutting blades 212 toabout 40 cutting blades 212, among other ranges of quantities of cuttingblades 212 and/or quantities of cutting blades 212 that are possible andcontemplated herein. In some embodiments, the top surface 206 includes12 cutting blades 212, among other quantities of cutting blades 212 thatare possible and contemplated herein.

While the surgical instrument 200 is shown with a top surface 206including 9 cutting blades 212, the various embodiments of the surgicalinstrument 200 are not limited to 9 cutting blades 212. That is, variousother embodiments of a surgical instrument 200 can include a differentquantity of cutting blades 212 such that the top surface 206 can includea greater quantity of cutting blades 212 than 9 cutting blades 212 or asmaller quantity of cutting blades 212 than 9 cutting blades 212.

In some embodiments, the cutting blades 212 may be included on theentirety or substantially the entirety of the top surface 206. In otherembodiments, the cutting blades 212 may be included on a portion or atleast a portion of the top surface 206. That is, the quantity of rows ofcutting blades 212 may extend partially or fully along the slope 208 onthe top surface 106.

The portion of the top surface 206 including the cutting blades 212 mayinclude any suitable sized portion that can produce a wedge-shapedosteotomy. Various embodiments of the surgical instrument 200 mayinclude varying sized portions of the top surface 206 including thecutting blades 212 so that different sized and/or shaped wedge-shapedosteotomies can be obtained.

A cutting blade 212 may include any suitable shape that can facilitateand/or assist the surgical instrument 200 in performing an osteotomy(e.g., a wedge-shaped osteotomy). In various embodiments, a cuttingblade 212 can include a curved blade, a straight blade, waved blade, ora wavy blade, among other suitable shapes that can facilitate cuttingbone that are possible and contemplated herein. In additional oralternative embodiments, a cutting blade 212 can include a straightcutting edge and/or a serrated cutting edge, among other cutting edgesthat are possible and contemplated herein.

In some embodiments, all of the cutting blades 212 in the set of cuttingblades 212 on the top surface 206 include the same or substantially thesame shape. In alternative embodiments, at least two cutting blades 212in the set of cutting blades 212 on the top surface 206 includedifferent shapes or substantially different shapes. In one non-limitingexample, at least one cutting blade 212 includes a straight blade and atleast one cutting blade 212 includes a non-straight blade, among othershapes and/or combinations of shapes that are possible and contemplatedherein. In an additional or alternative non-limiting example, the curvedblade(s) and/or the straight blade(s) include a serrated edge.

In additional or alternative embodiments, a set of cutting blades 212can include at least two subsets of cutting blades 212 in which a firstsubset includes two or more cutting blades 212 including a first shapeand at least a second subset that includes two or more cutting blades212 including a second, different shape. In some embodiments, one ormore of the cutting blades 212 in one or more of the subsets of cuttingblades 212 include a serrated edge.

In further additional or alternative embodiments, the first subset ofcutting blades 212 and the second subset of cutting blades 212 includethe same quantity of cutting blades 212. In other embodiments, the firstsubset of cutting blades 212 and the second subset of cutting blades 212include different quantities of cutting blades 212.

In yet further additional or alternative embodiments, the cutting blades212 in the first subset of cutting blades 212 and the cutting blades 212in the second subset of cutting blades 212 can be positioned in apattern. The pattern may include any suitable pattern that can assist inand/or facilitate performing an osteotomy (e.g., a wedge-shapedosteotomy). In some embodiments, the pattern may include cutting blades212 with different shapes in an alternating pattern to providealternating rows of cutting blades 212.

A cutting blade 212 may include any suitable height that can facilitateand/or assist the surgical instrument 200 in performing an osteotomy(e.g., a wedge-shaped osteotomy). In various embodiments, the cuttingblades 212 can include a height in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 30mm, among other suitable heights that can facilitate cutting bone thatare possible and contemplated herein. In some embodiments, the cuttingblades 212 include a height of 0.75 mm.

In some embodiments, all of the rows of cutting blades 212 on the topsurface 206 include a uniform height (see FIG. 2C). In alternativeembodiments, the rows of cutting blades 212 on the top surface 206include a gradually increasing height (see FIG. 2D). In someembodiments, the height of the rows of cutting blades 212 graduallyincreases from the distal end 208 to the proximal end 210.

As shown, the distal end 208 includes a set of cutting teeth 214 (e.g.,a single tooth 214 or multiple teeth 214) positioned thereon. A set ofcutting teeth 214 may include any suitable quantity of teeth 214 thatcan assist in and/or facilitate initiating an osteotomy andparticularly, a wedge-shaped osteotomy, when oscillated.

In various embodiments, the set of cutting teeth 214 includes a quantityof cutting teeth 214 in the range of one cutting tooth 214 to about 50cutting teeth 214, among other ranges of quantities and/or quantities ofcutting teeth 214 that are possible and contemplated herein. In someembodiments, a set of cutting teeth 214 includes about 8 cutting teeth214, among other quantities of cutting teeth 214 that are possible andcontemplated herein.

In some embodiments, the set of cutting teeth 214 are positioned on thedistal end 208 in a straight line or substantially straight line. Inother embodiments, the set of cutting teeth 214 are positioned along acurve on the distal end 208 defined by a radius R2.

The radius R2 may be any suitable radius and/or curvature that canassist in and/or facilitate initiating an osteotomy (e.g., awedge-shaped osteotomy) when oscillated. In various embodiments, theradius R2 is in the range of about 5 mm to about 80 mm, among otherranges of lengths and/or lengths that can define an amount and/or degreeof curvature that are possible and contemplated herein. In someembodiments, the radius R2 is about 25 mm, among other lengths that candefine an amount and/or degree of curvature that are possible andcontemplated herein.

In some embodiments, the set of cutting teeth 214 on the distal end maydefine a cutting tip 220 that can initiate an osteotomy (e.g., a wedgeosteotomy). Further, the cutting blades 212 positioned along thesingle-plane slope 218 may define a cutting slope 218 that can performthe osteotomy to produce a wedge-shaped cut. In various embodiments, thecoordination of the cutting tip 220 and the cutting slope 218 can allowthe surgical instrument 200 to produce a wedge-shaped osteotomy in asingle cut and/or single pass.

As further shown, the proximal end 210 includes an attachment mechanism216 positioned thereon. The attachment mechanism 216 may include anysuitable size dimensions, shape, and/or configuration that enablesattachments of the surgical instrument 200 to a surgical instrument (notshown). That is, while the attachment mechanism 216 is shown asincluding particular relative size dimensions, shapes, andconfigurations, the various embodiments of the surgical instrument 200are not limited to the illustrated attachment mechanism 216. That is,other embodiments of the surgical instrument 200 may include one or moredifferent relative size dimension(s), shapes, and/or configurations.

With reference to FIGS. 3A through 3E, FIGS. 3A through 3E are schematicdiagrams illustrating various views of one embodiment of a surgicalinstrument 300. In various embodiments, the surgical instrument 300 canbe utilized to perform a wedge-shaped osteotomy. Further, thewedge-shaped osteotomy can be achieved with a single cut or passutilizing the surgical instrument 300.

A surgical instrument 300 may be constructed of any suitable materialthat can cut bone. In various embodiments, the surgical instrument 300is constructed of a sterilized suitable material that can cut bone. Insome embodiments, the surgical instrument 300 includes stainless steel,among other suitable materials that are possible and contemplatedherein. In additional or alternative embodiments, the surgicalinstrument 300 includes surgical grade stainless steel, among othersuitable surgical grade materials that are possible and contemplatedherein.

At least in the illustrated embodiment, the surgical instrument 300includes, among other features, a body 302 including at least a bottomsurface 304, a top surface 306, a distal end 308, and a proximal end310, a set of cutting blades 312 positioned on the body 302, a set ofcutting teeth 314 positioned on the distal end 308, and an attachmentmechanism 316 positioned on the proximal end 310. A body 302 may includeany suitable dimensions that can perform an osteotomy. In variousembodiments, the body 302 includes dimensions that are suitable forperforming an osteotomy on a human.

In various embodiments, the body 302 includes a length L3 (see FIG. 3B)in the range of about 15 mm to about 70 mm, among other ranges of lengthand/or lengths that are possible and contemplated herein. In someembodiments, the body 302 includes a length L3 of about 20 mm, amongother lengths that are possible and contemplated herein.

The body 302 further includes a width W5 (see FIG. 3B) at the distal end308 and a width W6 (see FIG. 3B) at the proximal end 310. In variousembodiments, the width W5 is in the range of about 5 mm to about 30 mm,among other ranges of widths and/or widths that are possible andcontemplated herein. In some embodiments, the width W5 is about 7.5 mm,among other widths that are possible and contemplated herein. Inadditional or alternative embodiments, the width W6 is in the range ofabout 5 mm to about 70 mm, among other ranges of widths and/or widthsthat are possible and contemplated herein. In some embodiments, thewidth W6 is about 11 mm, among other widths that are possible andcontemplated herein.

In some embodiments, the width W5 and the width W6 are the same width orsubstantially the same width. In other embodiments, the width W6 isgreater than the width W5 such that the proximate end 310 is wider thanthe distal end 308 or, alternatively, the distal end 308 is narrowerthan the proximate end 310 (e.g., the width W5 is less than the widthW6). That is, in various embodiments, the surgical instrument 300includes a tapered shape and/or tapers from the distal end 308 to theproximate end 310.

A bottom surface 304 may include any suitable shape and/or profile thatcan facilitate or assist the surgical instrument 300 in performing anosteotomy (e.g., a wedge-shaped osteotomy). In various embodiments, thebottom surface 304 includes a flat or substantially flat surface, amongother profiles and/or planes that are possible and contemplated herein.

A top surface 306 may include any suitable profile upon which one ormore cutting blades 312 can be positioned. In various embodiments, thetop surface 306 includes a slope 318 (see FIG. 3D) that extends upwardand/or away from the bottom surface 304 and the distal end 308. Theslope 318 may include any suitable grade (e.g., rise over run) that canfacilitate and/or assist the surgical instrument 300 in performing anosteotomy and particularly, a wedge-shaped osteotomy. That is, the topsurface 306 and/or surgical instrument 300 may include any suitablegrade that can facilitate and/or assist the surgical instrument 300 inperforming a wedge-shaped osteotomy in one cut and/or one pass.

In various embodiments, the slope 318 includes a grade in the range ofabout zero degrees (0° or flat, see FIG. 3E) to about fifteen degrees(15°, see FIG. 3D), among other ranges of grades, grades, and/or slopesthat are possible and contemplated herein. In other words, an angle θ inthe range of about 0° to about 15° (e.g., the angle θ=0°, 1°, 2°, 3°,4°, 5°, 6°, 7°, 8°, 9°, 10°, 11°, 12°, 13°, 14°, 4°, or 15° and/or theangle θ≈0°, 1°, 2°, 3°, 4°, 5°, 6°, 7°, 8°, 9°, 10°, 11°, 12°, 13°, 14°,or 15°) is defined between the top surface 306 and the bottom surface304 beginning at the distal end 308 and extending upward and toward theproximate end 310, as shown in FIGS. 3D and 3E. In some embodiments, theslope 318 includes a grade of about seven (7°) degrees (e.g., the angleθ=7° or the angle θ≈7°), among other suitable grades and/or slopes thatare possible and contemplated herein.

In several embodiments, the top surface 306 includes a set of cuttingblades 312 positioned thereon. As illustrated, the set of cutting blades312 are spaced apart and positioned vertically to form a set of columnsof cutting blades 312. As shown, one or more cutting blades 312 arepositioned on the top surface 306 so that one end of the cutting blade312 or cutting blades 312 begin(s) at or substantially at the distal end308 and extend toward the proximal end 310.

In various embodiments, all of the cutting blades 312 in the set ofcutting blades 312 begin at or substantially at the distal end 308 or aportion of the cutting blades 312 in the set of cutting blades 312begin(s) at or substantially at the distal end 308. The cutting blades312 may include any suitable shape and/or dimensions at the distal end308 can assist in and/or facilitate initiating an osteotomy andparticularly, a wedge-shaped osteotomy, when oscillated.

A set of cutting blades 312 may include any suitable quantity of cuttingblades 312 and/or quantity of columns of cutting blades 312 that canfacilitate and/or assist the surgical instrument 300 in performing anosteotomy and particularly, a wedge-shaped osteotomy.

The top surface 306 may include any suitable quantity of cutting blades312 so that the surgical instrument 300 can perform a wedge-shapedosteotomy in one cut and/or one pass. In various embodiments, the topsurface 306 includes a quantity of cutting blades 312 in the range ofabout 2 cutting blades 312 to about 40 cutting blades 312, among otherranges of quantities of cutting blades 312 and/or quantities of cuttingblades 312 that are possible and contemplated herein. In someembodiments, the top surface 306 includes 12 cutting blades 312, amongother quantities of cutting blades 312 that are possible andcontemplated herein.

While the surgical instrument 300 is shown with a top surface 306including 14 cutting blades 312, the various embodiments of the surgicalinstrument 300 are not limited to 14 cutting blades 312. That is,various other embodiments of a surgical instrument 300 can include adifferent quantity of cutting blades 312 such that the top surface 306can include a greater quantity of cutting blades 312 than 14 cuttingblades 312 or a smaller quantity of cutting blades 312 than 14 cuttingblades 312.

In some embodiments, the cutting blades 312 may extend over and/or alongthe entirety or substantially the entirety of the top surface 306 (seeFIG. 3B). In other embodiments, the cutting blades 312 extend overand/or along a portion or at least a portion of the top surface 306 (seeFIG. 3C). That is, the cutting blades 312 may extend partially or fullyfrom the distal end 308 to the proximal end 310.

The portion of the top surface 306 including the cutting blades 312 mayinclude any suitable sized portion that can produce a wedge-shapedosteotomy. Various embodiments of the surgical instrument 300 mayinclude varying sized portions of the top surface 306 including thecutting blades 312 so that different sized and/or wedge-shapedosteotomies can be obtained. That is, different embodiments may includecutting blades 312 with differing lengths to produce different sizedand/or wedge-shaped osteotomies.

A cutting blade 312 may include any suitable shape that can facilitateand/or assist the surgical instrument 300 in performing an osteotomy(e.g., a wedge-shaped osteotomy). In various embodiments, a cuttingblade 312 can include a curved blade (e.g., a vertically curved blade),a straight blade, waved blade (e.g., a horizontally curved blade), or awavy blade (e.g., a blade with multiple horizontal curves), among othersuitable shapes that can facilitate cutting bone that are possible andcontemplated herein. In additional or alternative embodiments, a cuttingblade 312 can include a straight cutting edge and/or a serrated cuttingedge, among other cutting edges that are possible and contemplatedherein.

In some embodiments, all of the cutting blades 312 in the set of cuttingblades 312 on the top surface 306 include the same or substantially thesame shape. In alternative embodiments, at least two cutting blades 312in the set of cutting blades 312 on the top surface 306 includedifferent shapes or substantially different shapes. In one non-limitingexample, at least one cutting blade 312 includes a straight blade and atleast one cutting blade 312 includes a curved blade (or othernon-straight blade), among other shapes and/or combinations of shapesthat are possible and contemplated herein. In an additional oralternative non-limiting example, the straight blade(s) and/or thecurved blade(s) include a serrated cutting edge.

In additional or alternative embodiments, a set of cutting blades 312can include at least two subsets of cutting blades 312 in which a firstsubset includes two or more cutting blades 312 including a first shapeand at least a second subset that includes two or more cutting blades312 including a second, different shape. In some embodiments, one ormore of the cutting blades 312 in one or more of the subsets of cuttingblades 312 includes a serrated edge.

In further additional or alternative embodiments, the first subset ofcutting blades 312 and the second subset of cutting blades 312 includethe same quantity of cutting blades 312. In other embodiments, the firstsubset of cutting blades 312 and the second subset of cutting blades 312include different quantities of cutting blades 312.

In yet further additional or alternative embodiments, the cutting blades312 in the first subset of cutting blades 312 and the cutting blades 312in the second subset of cutting blades 312 can be positioned in apattern. The pattern may include any suitable pattern that can assist inand/or facilitate performing an osteotomy (e.g., a wedge-shapedosteotomy). In some embodiments, the pattern may include cutting blades312 with different shapes in an alternating pattern to providealternating columns of cutting blades 312.

A cutting blade 312 may include any suitable height that can facilitateand/or assist the surgical instrument 300 in performing an osteotomy(e.g., a wedge-shaped osteotomy). In various embodiments, the cuttingblades 312 can include a height in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 30mm, among other suitable heights that can facilitate cutting bone thatare possible and contemplated herein. In some embodiments, the cuttingblades 312 include a height of about 0.75 mm, among other suitableheights that can facilitate cutting bone that are possible andcontemplated herein.

In some embodiments, all of the cutting blades 312 in the set of cuttingblades 312 on the top surface 306 include a respective uniform height(see FIG. 3D). In various embodiments, all of the cutting blades 312 inthe set of cutting blades 312 include the same respective uniform heightor at least two cutting blades 312 in the set of cutting blades 312include different respective uniform heights.

As shown in FIG. 3D, various embodiments include the body 302 with angleθ created between the bottom surface 304 and the top surface 306 suchthat the top surface 306 defines the slope 318 from the distal end 308to the proximal end 310. Further illustrated in FIG. 3D, the set ofcutting blades 312 includes a uniform height such that, when positionedon the top surface 306, the cutting surface (or top surface) of eachcutting blade 312 mirrors and/or includes the same slope 318 as that ofthe top surface 306. In other words, the cutting surface of each cuttingblade 312 extends vertically and rises upward along the slope 318 fromthe distal end 308 to the proximal end 310 (see FIG. 3B) or toward theproximal end 310 on a portion of the top surface 306 (see FIG. 3C).

In alternative embodiments, all of the cutting blades 312 on the topsurface 306 include a respective height that increases from the distalend 308 to the proximal end 310 (see FIG. 3E). As shown in FIG. 3E,various embodiments include the body with a flat (0° slope) top surface306 and one or more cutting blades 312 with angle θ between the cuttingsurface and a surface of the cutting blade 312 positioned on the body302 such that the height of each cutting blade 312 increases along theslope 318 from the distal end 308 to the proximal end 310.

In various embodiments, the angle θ of each cutting blade 312 is in therange of about 1° to about 15°, among other ranges of angles and/orangles that are possible and contemplated herein. In other words, anangle θ in the range of about 1° to about 15° (e.g., the angle θ=1°, 2°,3°, 4°, 5°, 6°, 7°, 8°, 9°, 10°, 11°, 12°, 13°, 14°, 15° and/or theangle θ≈1°, 2°, 3°, 4°, 5°, 6°, 7°, 8°, 9°, 10°, 11°, 12°, 13°, 14°, or15°) is defined between the cutting surface of each cutting blade 312and the surface of the cutting blade positioned on the body 302, asshown in FIG. 3E. In other words, the cutting surface of each cuttingblade 312 extends vertically and rises upward along the slope 318 fromthe distal end 308 to the proximal end 310 (see FIG. 3B) or toward theproximal end 310 on a portion of the top surface 306 (see FIG. 3C).

In some embodiments, all of the cutting blades 312 in the set of cuttingblades 312 include the same respective increasing height or angle θ suchthat the cutting blades 312 increase in height starting at or proximateto the distal end 308 and extend to or toward the proximal end 310 atthe same rate. In alternative embodiments, at least two cutting blades312 in the set of cutting blades 312 include different respectiveincreasing heights or angles θ such that at least two cutting blades 312increase in height starting at or proximate to the distal end 308 andextend to or toward the proximal end 310 at different rates.

In some embodiments, the set of cutting blades 312 are positioned on thedistal end 308 in a straight line or substantially straight line. Inother embodiments, the set of cutting blades 312 are positioned along acurve on the distal end 308 defined by a radius R3.

The radius R3 may be any suitable radius and/or curvature that canassist in and/or facilitate initiating an osteotomy (e.g., awedge-shaped osteotomy) when oscillated. In various embodiments, theradius R3 is in the range of about 5 mm to about 80 mm, among otherranges of lengths and/or lengths that can define an amount and/or degreeof curvature that are possible and contemplated herein. In someembodiments, the radius R3 is about 25 mm, among other lengths that candefine an amount and/or degree of curvature that are possible andcontemplated herein.

In some embodiments, the cutting blades 312 include a cutting surfacealong the slope 318 that can define single-plane. The single-plane maydefine a cutting slope 318 that can perform a wedge-shaped osteotomy ina single cut and/or single pass.

As further shown in FIGS. 3A through 3E, the proximal end 310 includesan attachment mechanism 316 positioned thereon. The attachment mechanism316 may include any suitable size dimensions, shape, and/orconfiguration that enables attachments of the surgical instrument 300 toa surgical instrument (not shown). That is, while the attachmentmechanism 316 is shown as including particular relative size dimensions,shapes, and configurations, the various embodiments of the surgicalinstrument 300 are not limited to the illustrated attachment mechanism316. That is, other embodiments of the surgical instrument 300 mayinclude one or more different relative size dimension(s), shapes, and/orconfigurations.

FIGS. 4A through 4F are schematic diagrams illustrating various views ofvarious embodiments of a surgical instrument 400. In variousembodiments, the surgical instrument 400 can be utilized to perform awedge-shaped osteotomy, a straight-cut osteotomy, and/or a parallel-cutosteotomy. Further, the wedge-shaped osteotomy, straight-cut osteotomy,and/or parallel-cut osteotomy can be achieved with a single cut or passutilizing the surgical instrument 400.

A surgical instrument 400 may be constructed of any suitable materialthat can cut bone. In various embodiments, the surgical instrument 400is constructed of a sterilized suitable material that can cut bone. Insome embodiments, the surgical instrument 400 includes stainless steel,among other suitable materials that are possible and contemplatedherein. In additional or alternative embodiments, the surgicalinstrument 400 includes surgical grade stainless steel, among othersuitable surgical grade materials that are possible and contemplatedherein.

At least in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, and4F, the surgical instrument 400 includes, among other features, a body402 including at least a first surface 404, a second surface 406 (e.g.,opposite the first surface 404), a distal end 408, and a proximal end410. The body 402 may include any suitable dimensions that can performan osteotomy. In various embodiments, the body 402 includes dimensionsthat are suitable for performing an osteotomy on a human. A surgicalinstrument 400 can further include, among other features and/orelements, a set of cutting blades 412A positioned on the first surface404, a set of cutting blades 412B positioned on the second surface 406,a set of cutting teeth 414 positioned on the distal end 408, and anattachment mechanism 416 positioned on the proximal end 410.

In various embodiments, the first surface 404 includes a set of cuttingblades 412A positioned thereon. As illustrated, the set of cuttingblades 412A are spaced apart and positioned vertically and/or angleswith respect to the first surface 404 to form a set of columns 422A ofcutting blades 412A.

In further embodiments, the second surface 406 includes a set of cuttingblades 412B positioned thereon. As illustrated, the set of cuttingblades 412B are spaced apart and positioned vertically and/or angleswith respect to the second surface 406 to form a set of columns 422B ofcutting blades 412B.

A cutting blade 412A and 412B (also referred to herein individuallyand/or collectively, as cutting blade(s) 412) may include any suitableshape that can facilitate and/or assist the surgical instrument 400 inperforming an osteotomy (e.g., a wedge-shaped osteotomy, a straight-cutosteotomy, and/or a parallel-cut osteotomy). In various embodiments, acutting blade 412 can include a curved blade (e.g., a vertically curvedblade), a straight blade, a single edge blade, a smooth edge blade,waved blade (e.g., a horizontally curved blade), or a wavy blade (e.g.,a blade with multiple horizontal curves), among other suitable shapesthat can facilitate cutting bone that are possible and contemplatedherein. In additional or alternative embodiments, a cutting blade 412can include a straight cutting edge and/or a serrated cutting edge,among other cutting edges that are possible and contemplated herein.

In some embodiments, all of the cutting blades 412A in the set ofcutting blades 412A on the first surface 404 include the same orsubstantially the same shape. In alternative embodiments, at least twocutting blades 412A in the set of cutting blades 412A on the firstsurface 404 include different shapes or substantially different shapes.

In additional embodiments, all of the cutting blades 412B in the set ofcutting blades 412B on the second surface 406 include the same orsubstantially the same shape. In alternative embodiments, at least twocutting blades 412B in the set of cutting blades 412B on the secondsurface 406 include different shapes or substantially different shapes.

In further embodiments, all of the cutting blades 412 on the firstsurface 404 and the second surface 406 include the same or substantiallythe same shape. In alternative embodiments, at least one cutting blade412A on the first surface 404 includes a different shape orsubstantially different shape than at least one cutting blade 412B onthe second surface 406.

A cutting blade 412 may include any suitable height that can facilitateand/or assist the surgical instrument 400 in performing an osteotomy. Invarious embodiments, a cutting blade 412 can include a height in therange of about 0.1 mm to about 30 mm, among other suitable heights thatcan facilitate cutting bone that are possible and contemplated herein.In some embodiments, a cutting blade 412 include a height of 0.75 mm.

In some embodiments, all of the cutting blades 412A on the first surface404 include a uniform height (see, e.g., FIG. 4E). In alternativeembodiments, one or more of the cutting blades 412A on the first surface404 include a height that gradually increases from the distal end 408 tothe proximal end 410 (see, e.g., FIG. 4F).

In additional embodiments, all of the cutting blades 412B on the secondsurface 406 include a uniform height (see, e.g., FIG. 4E). Inalternative embodiments, one or more of the cutting blades 412B on thesecond surface 406 include a height that gradually increases from thedistal end 408 to the proximal end 410 (see, e.g., FIG. 4F).

In further embodiments, all of the cutting blades 412 on the firstsurface 404 and the second surface 406 include a uniform height, whichcan be the same and/or different uniform heights from one another. Inother embodiments, all of the cutting blades 412 on the first surface404 and the second surface 406 include gradually increasing heights,which can be the same and/or different gradually increasing heights fromone another. In still further embodiments, one or more of the cuttingblades 412A on the first surface 404 can include uniform heights and/orgradually increasing heights and one or more of the cutting blades 412Bon the second surface 406 can include uniform heights and/or graduallyincreasing heights, and the various possible combinations thereof, whichalso includes the various combinations of the same and/or differentgradually increasing heights on the first surface 404 and/or the secondsurface 406.

A set of cutting blades 412 may include any suitable quantity of cuttingblades 412 and/or quantity of columns 422A and 422B (also referred toherein individually and/or collectively, as column(s) 422) of cuttingblades 412 that can facilitate and/or assist the surgical instrument 400in performing an osteotomy. In various embodiments, the first surface404 and the second surface 406 includes a suitable quantity of cuttingblades 412 so that the surgical instrument 400 can perform an osteotomyin one cut and/or one pass.

In various embodiments, the first surface 404 includes a quantity ofcutting blades 412A in the range of about 2 cutting blades 412A to about40 cutting blades 412A, among other ranges of quantities of cuttingblades 412A and/or quantities of cutting blades 412A that are possibleand contemplated herein. In some embodiments, the first surface 404includes 12 cutting blades 412A, among other quantities of cuttingblades 412A that are possible and contemplated herein.

In additional embodiments, the second surface 406 includes a quantity ofcutting blades 412B in the range of about 2 cutting blades 412B to about40 cutting blades 412B, among other ranges of quantities of cuttingblades 412B and/or quantities of cutting blades 412B that are possibleand contemplated herein. In some embodiments, the second surface 406includes 12 cutting blades 412B, among other quantities of cuttingblades 412B that are possible and contemplated herein.

In various embodiments, the first surface 404 and the second surface 406include the same quantity of cutting blades 412. In alternativeembodiments, the first surface 404 and the second surface 406 includedifferent quantities of cutting blades 412. In certain embodiments, thefirst surface 404 includes a greater quantity or lesser quantity ofcutting blades 412 than the second surface 406 or vice versa.

While the surgical instrument 400 is shown with the first surface 404and the second surface 406 each including 8 cutting blades 412, thevarious embodiments of the surgical instrument 400 are not limited to 8cutting blades 412. That is, various other embodiments of a surgicalinstrument 400 can include a different quantity of cutting blades 412such that the first surface 404 and/or the second surface 406 caninclude a greater quantity of cutting blades 412 than 8 cutting blades412 and/or a smaller quantity of cutting blades 412 than 8 cuttingblades 412.

In some embodiments, the cutting blades 412 may be included on theentirety or substantially the entirety of the first surface 404 and/orthe second surface 406. In other embodiments, the cutting blades 412 maybe included on a portion or at least a portion of the first surface 404and/or second surface 406. That is, the cutting blades 412 may extendpartially or fully from the distal end 408 to the proximal end 410 onthe first surface 404 and/or the second surface 406.

In some embodiments, the cutting blades 412 extend fully from the distalend 408 to the proximal end 410 on both the first surface 404 and thesecond surface 406. In other embodiments, the cutting blades 412 extendpartially from the distal end 408 to the proximal end 410 on both thefirst surface 404 and the second surface 406. In still otherembodiments, the cutting blades 412A extend fully from the distal end408 to the proximal end 410 on the first surface 404 and the cuttingblades 412B extend partially from the distal end 408 to the proximal end410 on the second surface 406. In still further embodiments, the cuttingblades 412B extend fully from the distal end 408 to the proximal end 410on the second surface 406 and the cutting blades 412A extend partiallyfrom the distal end 408 to the proximal end 410 on the first surface404.

The portion of the first surface 404 and/or the second surface 406including the cutting blades 412 may include any suitable sized portionthat can produce a wedge-shaped, a straight-cut osteotomy, and/or aparallel-cut osteotomy. Various embodiments of the surgical instrument400 may include varying sized portions of the first surface 404 and/orthe second surface 406 including the cutting blades 412 so thatdifferent sized and/or shaped osteotomies can be obtained.

In some embodiments, the first surface 404 and the second surface 406include the same sized portions of cutting blades 412. In otherembodiments, the first surface 404 and the second surface 406 includedifferent sized portions of cutting blades 412. In still otherembodiments, the first surface 404 includes a larger sized portion orsmaller sized portion of cutting blades 412 than the second surface 406or vice versa.

In various embodiments, the body 402 includes a length L4 (see, FIG. 4B)in the range of about 15 mm to about 70 mm, among other ranges of lengthand/or lengths that are possible and contemplated herein. In someembodiments, the body 402 includes a length L4 of about 20 mm, amongother lengths that are possible and contemplated herein.

The body 402 further includes a width W7 (see, FIG. 4B) at the distalend 408 and a width W8 (see, FIG. 4B) at the proximal end 410. Invarious embodiments, the width W7 is in the range of about 5 mm to about30 mm, among other ranges of widths and/or widths that are possible andcontemplated herein. In some embodiments, the width W7 is about 7.5 mm,among other widths that are possible and contemplated herein.

In additional or alternative embodiments, the width W8 is in the rangeof about 5 mm to about 70 mm, among other ranges of widths and/or widthsthat are possible and contemplated herein. In some embodiments, thewidth W8 is about 11 mm, among other widths that are possible andcontemplated herein.

In some embodiments, the width W7 and the width W8 are the same width orsubstantially the same width. In other embodiments, the width W8 isgreater than the width W7 such that the proximate end 410 is wider thanthe distal end 408 or, alternatively, the distal end 408 is narrowerthan the proximate end 410 (e.g., the width W7 is less than the widthW8). That is, in various embodiments, the surgical instrument 400includes a tapered shape and/or tapers from the distal end 408 to theproximate end 410.

A first surface 404 may include any suitable profile upon which one ormore cutting blades 412A can be positioned. In various embodiments, thefirst surface 404 includes a slope 418A (see, FIGS. 4E and 4F) thatextends upward and/or away from a reference plane 425 (e.g., a flatplane or 0° plane) and the distal end 408. The slope 418A may includeany suitable grade (e.g., rise over run) that can facilitate and/orassist the surgical instrument 400 in performing an osteotomy. That is,the first surface 404 and/or surgical instrument 400 may include anysuitable grade that can facilitate and/or assist the surgical instrument400 in performing an osteotomy in one cut and/or one pass.

In various embodiments, the slope 418A includes a grade in the range ofabout zero degrees (0° or flat) to about fifteen degrees (15°), amongother ranges of grades, grades, and/or slopes that are possible andcontemplated herein. In other words, an angle θ₁ in the range of about0° to about 15° (e.g., the angle θ₁=0°, 1°, 2°, 3°, 4°, 5°, 6°, 7°, 8°,9°, 10°, 11°, 12°, 13°, 14°, or 15° and/or the angle θ₁0°, 1°, 2°, 3°,4°, 5°, 6°, 7°, 8°, 9°, 10°, 11°, 12°, 13°, 14°, or 15°) is definedbetween the reference plane 425 and the first surface 404 beginning atthe distal end 408 and extending upward and toward the proximate end410, as shown in FIGS. 4E and 4F. In some embodiments, the slope 418Aincludes a grade of about seven degrees (7°) (e.g., the angle θ₁=7° orthe angle θ₁≈7°, among other suitable grades and/or slopes that arepossible and contemplated herein.

A second surface 406 may include any suitable profile upon which one ormore cutting blades 412B can be positioned. In various embodiments, thesecond surface 406 includes a slope 418B (see, FIGS. 4E and 4F) thatextends upward and/or away from the reference plane 425 and the distalend 408. The slope 418B may include any suitable grade (e.g., rise overrun) that can facilitate and/or assist the surgical instrument 400 inperforming an osteotomy. That is, the second surface 406 and/or surgicalinstrument 400 may include any suitable grade that can facilitate and/orassist the surgical instrument 400 in performing an osteotomy in one cutand/or one pass.

In various embodiments, the slope 418B includes a grade in the range ofabout zero degrees (0° or flat) to about fifteen degrees (15°), amongother ranges of grades, grades, and/or slopes that are possible andcontemplated herein. In other words, an angle θ₂ in the range of about0° to about 15° (e.g., the angle θ₂=0°, 1°, 2°, 3°, 4°, 5°, 6°, 7°, 8°,9°, 10°, 11°, 12°, 13°, 14°, or 15° and/or the angle θ₂0°, 1°, 2°, 3°,4°, 5°, 6°, 7°, 8°, 9°, 10°, 11°, 12°, 13°, 14°, or 15°) is definedbetween the reference plane 425 and the second surface 406 beginning atthe distal end 408 and extending upward and toward the proximate end410, as shown in FIGS. 4E and 4F. In some embodiments, the slope 418Bincludes a grade of about 7° (e.g., the angle θ₂=7° or the angle θ2≈7°),among other suitable grades and/or slopes that are possible andcontemplated herein.

In various embodiments, the angles θ₁ and θ₂ include the same angle withrespect to the reference plane 425. In alternative embodiments, theangles θ₁ and θ₂ include different angles with respect to the referenceplane 425. In certain embodiments, the angle θ₁ is greater than theangle θ₂ or vice versa.

In some embodiments (see, e.g., FIG. 4E), the angles θ₁ and θ₂ are eachgreater than 0° such that neither of slopes 418A and 418B define a flatsurface for the first surface 404 and the second surface 406 (e.g., thefirst surface 404 and the second surface 406 are not parallel to thereference plane 425). Here, the angles θ₁ and θ₂ can include the sameangle greater than 0° or different angles greater than 0° with respectto the reference plane 425.

In other embodiments (see, e.g., FIG. 4F), angle θ₁ and θ₂ are each 0°.Here, the slope 418A defines a flat surface for the first surface 404and the slope 418B defines a flat surface of the second surface 406(e.g., first surface 404 and second surface 406 are parallel to thereference plane 425).

In still other embodiments, angle θ₁ or angle θ₂ is 0° and the other oneof angle θ₁ or angle θ₂ greater than 0° with respect to the referenceangle 425. Here, the slope 418A for the first surface 404 or the slope418B for the second surface 406 defines a non-flat or sloped surface forthe first surface 404 or second surface 406, respectively, with respectto the reference angle 425 and the other one of the first surface 404 orthe second surface 406 includes a flat surface (e.g., is parallel to thereference angle 425).

In various embodiments, the distal end 408 includes a set of cuttingteeth 414 (e.g., a single tooth 414 or multiple teeth 414) positionedthereon. A set of cutting teeth 414 may include any suitable quantity ofteeth 414 that can assist in and/or facilitate initiating an osteotomyand particularly, a wedge-shaped osteotomy, when oscillated.

In various embodiments, the set of cutting teeth 414 includes a quantityof cutting teeth 414 in the range of one (1) cutting tooth 414 to about50 cutting teeth 414, among other ranges of quantities and/or quantitiesof cutting teeth 414 that are possible and contemplated herein. In someembodiments, a set of cutting teeth 414 includes about 8 cutting teeth414, among other quantities of cutting teeth 414 that are possible andcontemplated herein.

In some embodiments, the set of cutting teeth 414 are positioned on thedistal end 408 in a straight line or substantially straight line. Inother embodiments, the set of cutting teeth 414 are positioned along acurve on the distal end 408 defined by a radius R1.

The radius R4 may be any suitable radius and/or curvature that canassist in and/or facilitate initiating an osteotomy (e.g., awedge-shaped osteotomy) when oscillated. In various embodiments, theradius R4 is in the range of about 5 mm to about 80 mm, among otherranges of lengths and/or lengths that can define an amount and/or degreeof curvature that are possible and contemplated herein. In someembodiments, the radius R4 is about 25 mm, among other lengths that candefine an amount and/or degree of curvature that are possible andcontemplated herein.

In some embodiments, the set of cutting teeth 414 on the distal end 408may define a cutting tip 120 that can initiate an osteotomy (e.g., awedge osteotomy). Further, the cutting blades 412A positioned along theslope 118A and/or the cutting blades 412B positioned along the slope118B may define a cutting slope 118A and/or 118B, respectively, that canperform an osteotomy. In various embodiments, the coordination of thecutting tip 420 and the cutting slopes 118A and 118B can allow thesurgical instrument 400 to produce a wedge-shaped osteotomy, astraight-cut osteotomy, and/or a parallel-cut osteotomy in a single cutand/or single pass.

As further shown, the proximal end 410 includes an attachment mechanism416 positioned thereon. The attachment mechanism 416 may include anysuitable size dimensions, shape, and/or configuration that enablesattachments of the surgical instrument 400 to a surgical instrument (notshown). That is, while the attachment mechanism 416 is shown asincluding particular relative size dimensions, shapes, andconfigurations, the various embodiments of the surgical instrument 400are not limited to the illustrated attachment mechanism 416. That is,other embodiments of the surgical instrument 400 may include one or moredifferent relative size dimension(s), shapes, and/or configurations.

FIGS. 5A through 5F are schematic diagrams illustrating various views ofvarious embodiments of a surgical instrument 500. In variousembodiments, the surgical instrument 500 can be utilized to perform awedge-shaped osteotomy, a straight-cut osteotomy, and/or a parallel-cutosteotomy. Further, the wedge-shaped osteotomy, straight-cut osteotomy,and/or parallel-cut osteotomy can be achieved with a single cut or passutilizing the surgical instrument 500.

A surgical instrument 500 may be constructed of any suitable materialthat can cut bone. In various embodiments, the surgical instrument 500is constructed of a sterilized suitable material that can cut bone. Insome embodiments, the surgical instrument 500 includes stainless steel,among other suitable materials and combinations of materials that arepossible and contemplated herein. In additional or alternativeembodiments, the surgical instrument 500 includes surgical gradestainless steel, among other suitable surgical grade materials andcombinations of materials that are possible and contemplated herein.

At least in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5A through 5F, thesurgical instrument 500 includes, among other features, a body 402, adistal end 408, a proximal end 410, and an attachment mechanism 416similar to the body 402, distal end 408, proximal end 410, andattachment mechanism 416 of the various embodiments of the surgicalinstrument 400 discussed herein with reference to FIGS. 4A through 4F. Asurgical instrument 500 further includes, among other features and/orelements, a first surface 504 including a set of cutting blades 512Apositioned thereon and a second surface 506 including a set of cuttingblades 512B positioned thereon (see, e.g., FIG. 5A).

A cutting blade 512A and 512B may include similar features and/ordimensions as the cutting blades 412A and 412B discussed with referenceto FIGS. 4A through 4F. In addition, the cutting blades 512A on thefirst surface 504 and the cutting blades 512B on the second surface 506may include the quantities and/or relative quantities as the cuttingblades 412A on the first surface 404 and the cutting blades 412B on thesecond surface 406 discussed with reference to FIGS. 4A through 4F.

In FIGS. 5A and 5C, one or more columns 522A of cutting blades 512A(e.g., 4 cutting blades 512A) forms a set of columns 522C that is/areoriented outward toward the left (e.g., is/are not perpendicular to thefirst surface 504) and one or more columns 522A of cutting blades 512A(e.g., 4 cutting blades 512A) forms a set of columns 522D are orientedoutward toward the right and/or away from the blade(s) 512A orientedoutwardly toward the left (e.g., is/are not perpendicular to the firstsurface 504), among other quantities, relative quantities, and/ororientation(s) of cutting blades 512A that are possible and contemplatedherein.

In FIGS. 5B and 5D, one or more columns 522B of cutting blades 512B(e.g., 4 cutting blades 512B) forms a set of columns 522E that is/areoriented outward toward the left (e.g., is/are not perpendicular to thesecond surface 506) and one or more columns 522B of cutting blades 512B(e.g., 4 cutting blades 512B) forms a set of columns 522F are orientedoutward toward the right and/or away from the blade(s) 512B orientedoutwardly toward the left (e.g., is/are not perpendicular to the secondsurface 506), among other quantities, relative quantities, and/ororientation(s) of cutting blades 512B that are possible and contemplatedherein.

In various embodiments, the cutting blades 512A can include a portion atthe distal end 408 that functions similar to the cutting teeth 414and/or cutting tip 420 discussed with reference to FIGS. 4A through 4F.In additional or alternative embodiments, the cutting blades 512B caninclude a portion at the distal end 408 that functions similar to thecutting teeth 414 and/or cutting tip 420 discussed with reference toFIGS. 4A through 4F.

As shown, various embodiments of the surgical instrument 500 include theangles θ₁ and θ₂ similar to the various embodiments of the surgicalinstrument 400. In some embodiments, all of the cutting blades 512A onthe first surface 504 include a uniform height (see, e.g., FIG. 5E). Inalternative embodiments, one or more of the cutting blades 512A on thefirst surface 504 include a height that gradually increases from thedistal end 408 to the proximal end 410 (see, e.g., FIG. 5F).

In additional embodiments, all of the cutting blades 512B on the secondsurface 506 include a uniform height (see, e.g., FIG. 5E). Inalternative embodiments, one or more of the cutting blades 512B on thesecond surface 506 include a height that gradually increases from thedistal end 408 to the proximal end 410 (see, e.g., FIG. 5F).

In further embodiments, all of the cutting blades 512 on the firstsurface 504 and the second surface 506 include a uniform height, whichcan be the same and/or different uniform heights from one another. Inother embodiments, all of the cutting blades 512 on the first surface504 and the second surface 506 include gradually increasing heights,which can be the same and/or different gradually increasing heights fromone another. In still further embodiments, one or more of the cuttingblades 512A on the first surface 504 can include uniform heights and/orgradually increasing heights and one or more of the cutting blades 512Bon the second surface 506 can include uniform heights and/or graduallyincreasing heights, and the various possible combinations thereof, whichalso includes the various combinations of the same and/or differentgradually increasing heights on the first surface 504 and/or the secondsurface 506.

A set of cutting blades 512A and 512B may include any suitable quantityof cutting blades 512 and/or quantity of columns 522A and 422B (alsoreferred to herein individually and/or collectively, as column(s) 522)of cutting blades 412 that can facilitate and/or assist the surgicalinstrument 500 in performing an osteotomy. In various embodiments, thefirst surface 504 and the second surface 506 includes a suitablequantity of cutting blades 512 so that the surgical instrument 500 canperform an osteotomy in one cut and/or one pass.

FIGS. 6A through 6F are schematic diagrams illustrating various views ofvarious embodiments of a surgical instrument 600. In variousembodiments, the surgical instrument 600 can be utilized to perform awedge-shaped osteotomy, a straight-cut osteotomy, and/or a parallel-cutosteotomy. Further, the wedge-shaped osteotomy, straight-cut osteotomy,and/or parallel-cut osteotomy can be achieved with a single cut or passutilizing the surgical instrument 600.

A surgical instrument 600 may be constructed of any suitable materialthat can cut bone. In various embodiments, the surgical instrument 600is constructed of a sterilized suitable material that can cut bone. Insome embodiments, the surgical instrument 600 includes stainless steel,among other suitable materials and combinations of materials that arepossible and contemplated herein. In additional or alternativeembodiments, the surgical instrument 600 includes surgical gradestainless steel, among other suitable surgical grade materials andcombinations of materials that are possible and contemplated herein.

At least in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6A through 6F, thesurgical instrument 600 includes, among other features, a body 402, adistal end 408, a proximal end 410, a set of cutting teeth 414, anattachment mechanism 416, and a cutting tip 420 similar to the body 402,distal end 408, proximal end 410, the set of cutting teeth 414,attachment mechanism 416, and cutting tip 420 of the various embodimentsof the surgical instrument 400 discussed herein with reference to FIGS.4A through 4F.

A surgical instrument 600 further includes, among other features and/orelements, a first surface 604 including a set of cutting blades 612Apositioned thereon (see, e.g., FIG. 6A). As illustrated, the set ofcutting blades 612A are spaced apart and positioned vertically and/orangles with respect to the first surface 604 to form a set of rows 424Aof cutting blades 612A.

In further embodiments, the second surface 406 includes a set of cuttingblades 612B positioned thereon. As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the set ofcutting blades 612B are spaced apart and positioned vertically and/orangles with respect to the second surface 606 to form a set of rows 424Bof cutting blades 612B.

A cutting blade 612A and 612B (also referred to herein individuallyand/or collectively, as cutting blade(s) 612) may include any suitableshape that can facilitate and/or assist the surgical instrument 600 inperforming an osteotomy (e.g., a wedge-shaped osteotomy, a straight-cutosteotomy, and/or a parallel-cut osteotomy). In various embodiments, acutting blade 612 can include a curved blade (e.g., a vertically curvedblade), a straight blade, a single edge blade, a smooth edge blade,waved blade (e.g., a horizontally curved blade), or a wavy blade (e.g.,a blade with multiple horizontal curves), among other suitable shapesthat can facilitate cutting bone that are possible and contemplatedherein. In additional or alternative embodiments, a cutting blade 612can include a straight cutting edge and/or a serrated cutting edge,among other cutting edges that are possible and contemplated herein.

In some embodiments, all of the cutting blades 612A in the set ofcutting blades 612A on the first surface 604 include the same orsubstantially the same shape. In alternative embodiments, at least twocutting blades 612A in the set of cutting blades 612A on the firstsurface 604 include different shapes or substantially different shapes.

In additional embodiments, all of the cutting blades 612B in the set ofcutting blades 612B on the second surface 606 include the same orsubstantially the same shape. In alternative embodiments, at least twocutting blades 612B in the set of cutting blades 612B on the secondsurface 606 include different shapes or substantially different shapes.

In further embodiments, all of the cutting blades 612 on the firstsurface 604 and the second surface 606 include the same or substantiallythe same shape. In alternative embodiments, at least one cutting blade612A on the first surface 604 includes a different shape orsubstantially different shape than at least one cutting blade 612B onthe second surface 606.

A cutting blade 612 may include any suitable height that can facilitateand/or assist the surgical instrument 600 in performing an osteotomy. Invarious embodiments, a cutting blade 612 can include a height in therange of about 0.1 mm to about 30 mm, among other suitable heights thatcan facilitate cutting bone that are possible and contemplated herein.In some embodiments, a cutting blade 612 include a height of 0.75 mm.

In some embodiments, all of the cutting blades 612A on the first surface604 include a uniform height (see, e.g., FIG. 6C). In alternativeembodiments, two or more rows 624A of the cutting blades 612A on thefirst surface 604 include a height that gradually increases from thedistal end 408 to the proximal end 410 (see, e.g., FIG. 6D).

In additional embodiments, all of the cutting blades 612B on the secondsurface 606 include a uniform height (see, e.g., FIG. 6C). Inalternative embodiments, two or more rows 624B of the cutting blades612B on the second surface 606 include a height that gradually increasesfrom the distal end 408 to the proximal end 410 (see, e.g., FIG. 6D).

In further embodiments, all of the cutting blades 612 on the firstsurface 604 and the second surface 606 include a uniform height, whichcan be the same and/or different uniform heights from one another. Inother embodiments, two or more rows 624A and/or 624B of the cuttingblades 612 on the first surface 604 and/or the second surface 606include gradually increasing heights, which can be the same and/ordifferent gradually increasing heights from one another. In stillfurther embodiments, the cutting blades 612A on the first surface 404can include uniform heights and/or rows 624A of gradually increasingheights and the cutting blades 612B on the second surface 406 caninclude uniform heights and/or rows 624B of gradually increasingheights, and the various possible combinations thereof, which alsoincludes the various combinations of the same and/or different graduallyrows 624 of increasing heights on the first surface 604 and/or thesecond surface 606.

A set of cutting blades 612 may include any suitable quantity of cuttingblades 612 and/or quantity of rows 624A and 624B (also referred toherein individually and/or collectively, as column(s) 624) of cuttingblades 612 that can facilitate and/or assist the surgical instrument 600in performing an osteotomy. In various embodiments, the first surface604 and the second surface 606 includes a suitable quantity of cuttingblades 612 so that the surgical instrument 600 can perform an osteotomyin one cut and/or one pass.

In various embodiments, the first surface 604 includes a quantity ofcutting blades 612A in the range of about 2 cutting blades 612A to about40 cutting blades 612A, among other ranges of quantities of cuttingblades 612A and/or quantities of cutting blades 612A that are possibleand contemplated herein. In some embodiments, the first surface 604includes 12 cutting blades 612A, among other quantities of cuttingblades 612A that are possible and contemplated herein.

In additional embodiments, the second surface 606 includes a quantity ofcutting blades 612B in the range of about 2 cutting blades 612B to about40 cutting blades 612B, among other ranges of quantities of cuttingblades 612B and/or quantities of cutting blades 612B that are possibleand contemplated herein. In some embodiments, the second surface 606includes 12 cutting blades 612B, among other quantities of cuttingblades 612B that are possible and contemplated herein.

In various embodiments, the first surface 604 and the second surface 606include the same quantity of cutting blades 612. In alternativeembodiments, the first surface 604 and the second surface 606 includedifferent quantities of cutting blades 612. In certain embodiments, thefirst surface 604 includes a greater quantity or lesser quantity ofcutting blades 612 than the second surface 606 or vice versa.

While the surgical instrument 600 is shown with the first surface 604and the second surface 606 each including 9 cutting blades 612, thevarious embodiments of the surgical instrument 600 are not limited to 9cutting blades 612. That is, various other embodiments of a surgicalinstrument 600 can include a different quantity of cutting blades 612such that the first surface 604 and/or the second surface 606 caninclude a greater quantity of cutting blades 612 than 9 cutting blades612 and/or a smaller quantity of cutting blades 612 than 9 cuttingblades 612.

In some embodiments, the cutting blades 612 may be included on theentirety or substantially the entirety of the first surface 604 and/orthe second surface 606. In other embodiments, the cutting blades 612 maybe included on a portion or at least a portion of the first surface 604and/or second surface 606. That is, the cutting blades 612 may extendpartially or fully from the distal end 408 to the proximal end 410 onthe first surface 604 and/or the second surface 606.

In some embodiments, the cutting blades 612 extend fully from the distalend 408 to the proximal end 410 on both the first surface 604 and thesecond surface 606. In other embodiments, the cutting blades 612 extendpartially from the distal end 408 to the proximal end 410 on both thefirst surface 604 and the second surface 606. In still otherembodiments, the cutting blades 612A extend fully from the distal end408 to the proximal end 410 on the first surface 604 and the cuttingblades 412B extend partially from the distal end 408 to the proximal end410 on the second surface 606. In still further embodiments, the cuttingblades 612B extend fully from the distal end 408 to the proximal end 410on the second surface 606 and the cutting blades 612A extend partiallyfrom the distal end 408 to the proximal end 410 on the first surface604.

The portion of the first surface 604 and/or the second surface 606including the cutting blades 612 may include any suitable sized portionthat can produce a wedge-shaped, a straight-cut osteotomy, and/or aparallel-cut osteotomy. Various embodiments of the surgical instrument600 may include varying sized portions of the first surface 604 and/orthe second surface 606 including the cutting blades 612 so thatdifferent sized and/or shaped osteotomies can be obtained.

In some embodiments, the first surface 604 and the second surface 606include the same sized portions of cutting blades 612. In otherembodiments, the first surface 604 and the second surface 606 includedifferent sized portions of cutting blades 612. In still otherembodiments, the first surface 604 includes a larger sized portion orsmaller sized portion of cutting blades 612 than the second surface 606or vice versa.

A first surface 604 may include any suitable profile upon which one ormore cutting blades 612A can be positioned. In various embodiments, thefirst surface 604 includes a slope 418A that extends upward and/or awayfrom a reference plane 425 and the distal end 408 similar to the variousembodiments discussed with reference to the surgical instrument 400.

A second surface 606 may include any suitable profile upon which one ormore cutting blades 612B can be positioned. In various embodiments, thesecond surface 606 includes a slope 418B that extends upward and/or awayfrom the reference plane 425 and the distal end 408 similar to thevarious embodiments discussed with reference to the surgical instrument400.

In some embodiments (see, e.g., FIG. 6C), the angles θ₁ and θ₂ are eachgreater than 0° such that neither of slopes 418A and 418B define a flatsurface for the first surface 604 and the second surface 606 (e.g., thefirst surface 604 and the second surface 606 are not parallel to thereference plane 425). Here, the angles θ₁ and θ₂ can include the sameangle greater than 0° or different angles greater than 0° with respectto the reference plane 425.

In other embodiments (see, e.g., FIG. 6D), angle θ₁ and θ₂ are each 0°.Here, the slope 418A can define a flat surface for the first surface 604and the slope 418B can define a flat surface of the second surface 606(e.g., first surface 604 and second surface 606 are parallel to thereference plane 425).

In still other embodiments, angle θ₁ or angle θ₂ is 0° and the other oneof angle θ₁ or angle θ₂ greater than 0° with respect to the referenceangle 425. Here, the slope 418A for the first surface 604 or the slope418B for the second surface 606 defines a non-flat or sloped surface forthe first surface 604 or second surface 606, respectively, with respectto the reference angle 425 and the other one of the first surface 604 orthe second surface 606 includes a flat surface (e.g., is parallel to thereference angle 425).

FIGS. 7A through 7D are diagrams of various embodiments of a surgicalinstrument 700. In the various embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 7Athrough 7D, the surgical instrument 700 includes among other features, abody 402, a distal end 408, a proximal end 410, a set of cutting teeth414, an attachment mechanism 416, and a cutting tip 420 similar to thebody 402, distal end 408, proximal end 410, the set of cutting teeth414, attachment mechanism 416, and cutting tip 420 of the variousembodiments of the surgical instrument 400 discussed herein withreference to FIGS. 4A through 4F.

In FIG. 7A, a surgical instrument 700A includes a first surface 404Aincluding one or more columns 422A of cutting blades 412A similar to thevarious embodiments of the first surface 404A discussed herein. Inaddition, the surgical instrument 700A includes a second surface 506Aincluding one or more columns 522B (and/or sets of columns 522E and522F) of cutting blades 512B similar to the various embodiments of thesecond surface 506A discussed herein.

In FIG. 7B, a surgical instrument 700B includes a first surface 404Aincluding one or more columns 422A of cutting blades 412A similar to thevarious embodiments of the first surface 404A discussed herein. Inaddition, the surgical instrument 700B includes a second surface 506Bincluding one or more columns 522B (and/or sets of columns 522E and522F) of cutting blades 512B similar to the various embodiments of thesecond surface 506B discussed herein.

In FIG. 7C, a surgical instrument 700C includes a first surface 404Aincluding one or more columns 422A of cutting blades 412A similar to thevarious embodiments of the first surface 404A discussed herein. Inaddition, the surgical instrument 700C includes a second surface 606Aincluding one or more rows 624B of cutting blades 612B similar to thevarious embodiments of the second surface 606A discussed herein.

In FIG. 7D, a surgical instrument 700D includes a first surface 404Aincluding one or more columns 422A of cutting blades 412A similar to thevarious embodiments of the first surface 404A discussed herein. Inaddition, the surgical instrument 700D includes a second surface 606Bincluding one or more columns 624B of cutting blades 612B similar to thevarious embodiments of the second surface 606B discussed herein.

FIGS. 8A through 8D are diagrams of various embodiments of a surgicalinstrument 800. In the various embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 8Athrough 8D, the surgical instrument 800 includes among other features, abody 402, a distal end 408, a proximal end 410, a set of cutting teeth414, an attachment mechanism 416, and a cutting tip 420 similar to thebody 402, distal end 408, proximal end 410, the set of cutting teeth414, attachment mechanism 416, and cutting tip 420 of the variousembodiments of the surgical instrument 400 discussed herein withreference to FIGS. 4A through 4F.

In FIG. 8A, a surgical instrument 800A includes a first surface 404Bincluding one or more columns 422A of cutting blades 412A similar to thevarious embodiments of the first surface 404B discussed herein. Inaddition, the surgical instrument 800A includes a second surface 506Aincluding one or more columns 522B (and/or sets of columns 522E and522F) of cutting blades 512B similar to the various embodiments of thesecond surface 506A discussed herein.

In FIG. 8B, a surgical instrument 800B includes a first surface 404Bincluding one or more columns 422A of cutting blades 412A similar to thevarious embodiments of the first surface 404B discussed herein. Inaddition, the surgical instrument 800B includes a second surface 506Bincluding one or more columns 522B (and/or sets of columns 522E and522F) of cutting blades 512B similar to the various embodiments of thesecond surface 506B discussed herein.

In FIG. 8C, a surgical instrument 800C includes a first surface 404Bincluding one or more columns 422A of cutting blades 412A similar to thevarious embodiments of the first surface 404B discussed herein. Inaddition, the surgical instrument 800C includes a second surface 606Aincluding one or more rows 624B of cutting blades 612B similar to thevarious embodiments of the second surface 606A discussed herein.

In FIG. 8D, a surgical instrument 800D includes a first surface 404Bincluding one or more columns 422A of cutting blades 412A similar to thevarious embodiments of the first surface 404B discussed herein. Inaddition, the surgical instrument 800D includes a second surface 606Bincluding one or more columns 624B of cutting blades 612B similar to thevarious embodiments of the second surface 606B discussed herein.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams of various embodiments of a surgicalinstrument 900. In the various embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 9A and9B, the surgical instrument 900 includes among other features, a body402, a distal end 408, a proximal end 410, a set of cutting teeth 414,an attachment mechanism 416, and a cutting tip 420 similar to the body402, distal end 408, proximal end 410, the set of cutting teeth 414,attachment mechanism 416, and cutting tip 420 of the various embodimentsof the surgical instrument 400 discussed herein with reference to FIGS.4A through 4F.

In FIG. 9A, a surgical instrument 900A includes a first surface 504Aincluding one or more columns 522A (and/or sets of columns 522C and522D) of cutting blades 512A similar to the various embodiments of thefirst surface 504A discussed herein. In addition, the surgicalinstrument 900A includes a second surface 606A including one or morerows 624B of cutting blades 612B similar to the various embodiments ofthe second surface 606A discussed herein.

In FIG. 9B, a surgical instrument 900B includes a first surface 504Aincluding one or more columns 522A (and/or sets of columns 522C and522D) of cutting blades 512A similar to the various embodiments of thefirst surface 504A discussed herein. In addition, the surgicalinstrument 900B includes a second surface 606B including one or morecolumns 624B of cutting blades 612B similar to the various embodimentsof the second surface 606B discussed herein.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams of various embodiments of a surgicalinstrument 1000. In the various embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 10A and10B, the surgical instrument 1000 includes among other features, a body402, a distal end 408, a proximal end 410, a set of cutting teeth 414,an attachment mechanism 416, and a cutting tip 420 similar to the body402, distal end 408, proximal end 410, the set of cutting teeth 414,attachment mechanism 416, and cutting tip 420 of the various embodimentsof the surgical instrument 400 discussed herein with reference to FIGS.4A through 4F.

In FIG. 10A, a surgical instrument 1000A includes a first surface 504Bincluding one or more columns 522A (and/or sets of columns 522C and522D) of cutting blades 512A similar to the various embodiments of thefirst surface 504B discussed herein. In addition, the surgicalinstrument 1000A includes a second surface 606A including one or morerows 624B of cutting blades 612B similar to the various embodiments ofthe second surface 606A discussed herein.

In FIG. 10B, a surgical instrument 1000B includes a first surface 504Bincluding one or more columns 522A (and/or sets of columns 522C and522D) of cutting blades 512A similar to the various embodiments of thefirst surface 504B discussed herein. In addition, the surgicalinstrument 1000B includes a second surface 606B including one or morecolumns 624B of cutting blades 612B similar to the various embodimentsof the second surface 606B discussed herein.

In various embodiments, the surgical instruments 400 through 1000 eachform at least a portion of a cutting blade and/or cutting device. Insome embodiments, the surgical instruments 400 through 1000 form atleast a portion of a sagittal blade and/or sagittal saw, among othercutting blades and/or cutting devices that are possible and contemplatedherein.

In various embodiments, the surgical instruments 400 through 1000 caneach be utilized to perform an osteotomy, which can include any suitableosteotomy that is known or developed in the future. In some embodiments,the osteotomy performed by the surgical instruments 400 through 1000includes cutting and/or preparing a single bone (e.g., a cuneiform, ametatarsal, calcaneus, metacarpal, humerus, and femur, etc.)

In additional or alternative embodiments, the surgical instruments 400through 1000 can each be utilized to perform two or more osteotomies. Incertain embodiments, the surgical instruments 400 through 1000 can eachbe utilized to simultaneously perform two or more osteotomies, which caninclude cutting two different bones at the same time (e.g., a cuneiformand a metatarsal, carpal and metacarpal, and humerus and scapula, etc.).

In one non-limiting example, a first bone may be cut/prepared with oneside of a surgical instrument 400 through 1000 and a second bone may becut/prepared with another or different side of the surgical instrument400 through 1000. Here, the first and second bones may be cut/preparedin series (e.g., one at a time), cut/prepared in parallel (e.g., at thesame time or simultaneously), and/or cut/prepared substantially inparallel and/or series.

In another non-limiting example, a first portion of a bone may becut/prepared with one side of the surgical instrument 400 through 1000and a second or different portion of the same bone may be cut/preparedwith another or different side of the surgical instrument 400 through1000. Here, the first and second bones may be cut/prepared in series(e.g., one at a time), cut/prepared in parallel (e.g., at the same timeor simultaneously), and/or cut/prepared substantially in parallel and/orseries.

In still another non-limiting example, a first bone and a second bonemay be cut/prepared with the same side of the surgical instrument 400through 1000. Here, the first and second bones may be cut/prepared inseries (e.g., one at a time), cut/prepared in parallel (e.g., at thesame time or simultaneously), and/or cut/prepared substantially inparallel and/or series.

In yet another non-limiting example, a first portion and a secondportion of the same bone may be cut/prepared with the same side of thesurgical instrument 400 through 1000. Here, the first and second bonesmay be cut/prepared in series (e.g., one at a time), cut/prepared inparallel (e.g., at the same time or simultaneously), and/or cut/preparedsubstantially in parallel and/or series.

In a further non-limiting example, the same portion of the same bone maybe cut with different sides of the surgical instrument 400 through 1000.Here, the first and second bones may be cut/prepared in series (e.g.,one at a time), cut/prepared in parallel (e.g., at the same time orsimultaneously), and/or cut/prepared substantially in parallel and/orsubstantially in series.

In various embodiments, at least one of the two or more osteotomiescapable of being performed by a surgical instrument 400 through 1000includes a wedge-shaped osteotomy and at least one of the two or moreosteotomies includes a straight-cut osteotomy or a parallel-cutosteotomy, among other types of osteotomies and/or combinations ofosteotomies that are possible and contemplated herein. In otherembodiments, at least one of the two or more osteotomies capable ofbeing performed by the surgical instrument 400 through 1000 includes astraight-cut osteotomy and at least one of the two or more osteotomiesincludes a wedge-cut osteotomy or a parallel-cut osteotomy, among othertypes of osteotomies and/or combinations of osteotomies that arepossible and contemplated herein. In still other embodiments, at leastone of the two or more osteotomies capable of being performed by thesurgical instrument 400 through 1000 includes a parallel-cut osteotomyand at least one of the two or more osteotomies includes a wedge-cutosteotomy or a straight-cut osteotomy, among other types of osteotomiesand/or combinations of osteotomies that are possible and contemplatedherein.

In some embodiments, a surgical instrument 400 through 1000 (e.g., viafirst surface and second surface) can perform and/or facilitateperformance of a relatively large or larger wedge-shaped osteotomybetween two bones (e.g., at a joint) and/or the first surface canperform and/or facilitate performance of a relatively small or smallerwedge-shaped osteotomy on a first bone and the second surface canperform and/or facilitate performance of another relatively small orsmaller wedge-shaped osteotomy on a second bone, which can include thesame size or a different size wedge-shaped osteotomy than the firstsurface. In other embodiments, the surgical instrument 400 through 1000(e.g., via first surface and second surface) can perform and/orfacilitate performance of a relatively large or larger straight-cutosteotomy between two bones (e.g., at a joint) and/or the first surfacecan perform and/or facilitate performance of a relatively small orsmaller straight-cut osteotomy on a first bone and the second surfacecan perform and/or facilitate performance of another relatively small orsmaller straight-cut osteotomy on a second bone, which can include thesame size or a different size straight-cut osteotomy than the firstsurface. In other embodiments, the surgical instrument 400 through 1000(e.g., via first surface and second surface) can perform and/orfacilitate performance of a relatively large or larger parallel-cutosteotomy between two bones (e.g., at a joint) and/or the first surfacecan perform and/or facilitate performance of a relatively small orsmaller parallel-cut osteotomy on a first bone and the second surfacecan perform and/or facilitate performance of another relatively small orsmaller parallel-cut osteotomy on a second bone, which can include thesame size or a different size parallel-cut osteotomy than the firstsurface.

FIG. 11 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment ofa method 1100 for aligning two bones connected at a joint. The two bonesmay be any two bones separated by any joint (e.g., in a human oranimal).

At least in the illustrated embodiment, the method 1100 begins byperforming an incision in a patient to open and/or access a target joint(block 1102). The target joint may include any suitable joint betweenany two bones. Further, the incision may be performed at any suitablelocation at the target joint and/or bone(s) that can enable access thetarget joint.

A soft tissue release is performed at the joint (block 1104). The softtissue release may include any suitable technique and/or procedure thatcan release the target joint and/or one or both of the bones at thetarget joint.

Two bones at the target joint are simultaneously cut and/or prepared(block 1106). The two bones may be simultaneously cut using adouble-sided surgical instrument. In some embodiments, simultaneouslycutting the two bones at the target joint with the double-sided surgicalinstrument includes simultaneously cutting the two bones at the targetjoint with one or more embodiments of a surgical instrument 400. Inother embodiments, simultaneously cutting the two bones at the targetjoint with the double-sided surgical instrument includes simultaneouslycutting the two bones at the target joint with one or more embodimentsof a surgical instrument 500. In still other embodiments, simultaneouslycutting the two bones at the target joint with the double-sided surgicalinstrument includes simultaneously cutting the two bones at the targetjoint with one or more embodiments of a surgical instrument 600. Infurther embodiments, simultaneously cutting the two bones at the targetjoint with the double-sided surgical instrument includes simultaneouslycutting the two bones at the target joint with one or more embodimentsof a surgical instrument 700. In yet further embodiments, simultaneouslycutting the two bones at the target joint with the double-sided surgicalinstrument includes simultaneously cutting the two bones at the targetjoint with one or more embodiments of a surgical instrument 800. Instill further embodiments, simultaneously cutting the two bones at thetarget joint with the double-sided surgical instrument includessimultaneously cutting the two bones at the target joint with one ormore embodiments of a surgical instrument 900. In additionalembodiments, simultaneously cutting the two bones at the target jointwith the double-sided surgical instrument includes simultaneouslycutting the two bones at the target joint with one or more embodimentsof a surgical instrument 1000.

The alignment of the two bones is corrected subsequent to simultaneouslycutting the two bones at the target joint (block 1108). Correcting thealignment of the two bones includes, in various embodiments, correctingthe alignment of the two bones in one plane, two planes, or threeplanes, which can include a transverse plane, a sagittal plane, and/or afrontal plane.

After correction of the alignment, the two bones are fixated (block1110). The bones may be fixated using any fixation technique(s) and/orfixation device(s) that is/are known or developed in the future. Invarious embodiments, the two bones are fixated using a fixation devicemanufactured by Fusion Orthopedics, LLC of Mesa, Ariz.

FIG. 12 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating anotherembodiment of a method 1200 for aligning two bones connected at a joint.In various embodiments, the joint includes a tarsal-metatarsal joint andthe two bones include a metatarsal and a cuneiform. In certainembodiments, the metatarsal includes the first metatarsal and cuneiform.Further, the method 1200 may be utilized to correct a bunion. That is,the method 1200 can include a bunionectomy.

At least in the illustrated embodiment, the method 1200 begins byperforming an incision in a patient to open and/or access atarsal-metatarsal joint (block 1202). The incision may be performed atany suitable location on and/or at the tarsal-metatarsal joint,metatarsal, and/or cuneiform. In various embodiments, the incision canbe performed on the top and/or side of the metatarsal (e.g., the firstmetatarsal).

A soft tissue release is performed at the tarsal-metatarsal joint (block1204). The soft tissue release may include any suitable technique and/orprocedure that can release soft tissue at the tarsal-metatarsal joint.In some embodiments, the soft tissue release includes a lateral releaseof soft tissue.

The metatarsal and cuneiform at the tarsal-metatarsal joint aresimultaneously cut and/or prepared (block 1206). The metatarsal and thecuneiform may be simultaneously cut using a double-sided surgicalinstrument. In some embodiments, simultaneously cutting the metatarsaland the cuneiform with the double-sided surgical instrument includessimultaneously cutting the metatarsal and the cuneiform with one or moreembodiments of a surgical instrument 400. In other embodiments,simultaneously cutting the metatarsal and the cuneiform with thedouble-sided surgical instrument includes simultaneously cutting themetatarsal and the cuneiform with one or more embodiments of a surgicalinstrument 500. In still other embodiments, simultaneously cutting themetatarsal and the cuneiform with the double-sided surgical instrumentincludes simultaneously cutting the metatarsal and the cuneiform withone or more embodiments of a surgical instrument 600. In furtherembodiments, simultaneously cutting the metatarsal and the cuneiformwith the double-sided surgical instrument includes simultaneouslycutting the metatarsal and the cuneiform with one or more embodiments ofa surgical instrument 700. In yet further embodiments, simultaneouslycutting the metatarsal and the cuneiform with the double-sided surgicalinstrument includes simultaneously cutting the metatarsal and thecuneiform with one or more embodiments of a surgical instrument 800. Instill further embodiments, simultaneously cutting the metatarsal and thecuneiform with the double-sided surgical instrument includessimultaneously cutting the metatarsal and the cuneiform with one or moreembodiments of a surgical instrument 900. In additional embodiments,simultaneously cutting the metatarsal and the cuneiform with thedouble-sided surgical instrument includes simultaneously cutting themetatarsal and the cuneiform with one or more embodiments of a surgicalinstrument 1000.

The alignment of the metatarsal and the cuneiform is correctedsubsequent to simultaneously cutting the metatarsal and the cuneiform(block 1208). Correcting the alignment of the metatarsal and thecuneiform includes, in various embodiments, correcting the alignment ofthe metatarsal and the cuneiform in one plane, two planes, or threeplanes, which can include a transverse plane, a sagittal plane, and/or afrontal plane.

After correction of the alignment, the metatarsal and the cuneiform arefixated to one another (block 1210). The metatarsal and the cuneiformmay be fixated using any fixation technique(s) and/or fixation device(s)that is/are known or developed in the future. In various embodiments,the metatarsal and the cuneiform are fixated using a fixation devicemanufactured by Fusion Orthopedics, LLC of Mesa, Ariz.

FIG. 13 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating yet anotherembodiment of a method 1300 for aligning two bones connected at a joint.The two bones may be any two bones separated by any joint (e.g., in ahuman or animal).

At least in the illustrated embodiment, the method 1300 begins byperforming an incision in a patient to open and/or access a target joint(block 1302). The target joint may include any suitable joint betweenany two bones. Further, the incision may be performed at any suitablelocation at the target joint and/or bone(s) that can enable access thetarget joint.

A soft tissue release is performed at the joint (block 1304). The softtissue release may include any suitable technique and/or procedure thatcan release the target joint and/or one or both of the bones at thetarget joint.

The alignment of two bones at the target joint is corrected (block1306). Correcting the alignment of the two bones includes, in variousembodiments, correcting the alignment of the two bones in one plane, twoplanes, or three planes, which can include a transverse plane, asagittal plane, and/or a frontal plane.

Subsequent to correcting the alignment, the two bones are simultaneouslycut and/or prepared (block 1308). The two bones may be simultaneouslycut using a double-sided surgical instrument. In some embodiments,simultaneously cutting the two bones at the target joint with thedouble-sided surgical instrument includes simultaneously cutting the twobones at the target joint with one or more embodiments of a surgicalinstrument 400. In other embodiments, simultaneously cutting the twobones at the target joint with the double-sided surgical instrumentincludes simultaneously cutting the two bones at the target joint withone or more embodiments of a surgical instrument 500. In still otherembodiments, simultaneously cutting the two bones at the target jointwith the double-sided surgical instrument includes simultaneouslycutting the two bones at the target joint with one or more embodimentsof a surgical instrument 600. In further embodiments, simultaneouslycutting the two bones at the target joint with the double-sided surgicalinstrument includes simultaneously cutting the two bones at the targetjoint with one or more embodiments of a surgical instrument 700. In yetfurther embodiments, simultaneously cutting the two bones at the targetjoint with the double-sided surgical instrument includes simultaneouslycutting the two bones at the target joint with one or more embodimentsof a surgical instrument 800. In still further embodiments,simultaneously cutting the two bones at the target joint with thedouble-sided surgical instrument includes simultaneously cutting the twobones at the target joint with one or more embodiments of a surgicalinstrument 900. In additional embodiments, simultaneously cutting thetwo bones at the target joint with the double-sided surgical instrumentincludes simultaneously cutting the two bones at the target joint withone or more embodiments of a surgical instrument 1000.

After simultaneously cutting the two bones, the two bones are fixated(block 1310). The bones may be fixated using any fixation technique(s)and/or fixation device(s) that is/are known or developed in the future.In various embodiments, the two bones are fixated using a fixationdevice manufactured by Fusion Orthopedics, LLC of Mesa, Ariz.

FIG. 14 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating still anotherembodiment of a method 1400 for aligning two bones connected at a joint.In various embodiments, the joint includes a tarsal-metatarsal joint andthe two bones include a metatarsal and a cuneiform. In certainembodiments, the metatarsal includes the first metatarsal and cuneiform.Further, the method 1400 may be utilized to correct a bunion. That is,the method 1400 can include a bunionectomy.

At least in the illustrated embodiment, the method 1400 begins byperforming an incision in a patient to open and/or access atarsal-metatarsal joint (block 1402). The incision may be performed atany suitable location on and/or at the tarsal-metatarsal joint,metatarsal, and/or cuneiform. In various embodiments, the incision canbe performed on the top and/or side of the metatarsal (e.g., the firstmetatarsal).

A soft tissue release is performed at the tarsal-metatarsal joint (block1404). The soft tissue release may include any suitable technique and/orprocedure that can release soft tissue at the tarsal-metatarsal joint.In some embodiments, the soft tissue release includes a lateral releaseof soft tissue.

The alignment of the metatarsal and the cuneiform is corrected (block1406). Correcting the alignment of the metatarsal and the cuneiformincludes, in various embodiments, correcting the alignment of themetatarsal and the cuneiform in one plane, two planes, or three planes,which can include a transverse plane, a sagittal plane, and/or a frontalplane.

Subsequent to correcting the alignment, the metatarsal and cuneiform atthe tarsal-metatarsal joint are simultaneously cut and/or prepared(block 1408). The metatarsal and the cuneiform may be simultaneously cutusing a double-sided surgical instrument. In some embodiments,simultaneously cutting the metatarsal and the cuneiform with thedouble-sided surgical instrument includes simultaneously cutting themetatarsal and the cuneiform with one or more embodiments of a surgicalinstrument 400. In other embodiments, simultaneously cutting themetatarsal and the cuneiform with the double-sided surgical instrumentincludes simultaneously cutting the metatarsal and the cuneiform withone or more embodiments of a surgical instrument 500. In still otherembodiments, simultaneously cutting the metatarsal and the cuneiformwith the double-sided surgical instrument includes simultaneouslycutting the metatarsal and the cuneiform with one or more embodiments ofa surgical instrument 600. In further embodiments, simultaneouslycutting the metatarsal and the cuneiform with the double-sided surgicalinstrument includes simultaneously cutting the metatarsal and thecuneiform with one or more embodiments of a surgical instrument 700. Inyet further embodiments, simultaneously cutting the metatarsal and thecuneiform with the double-sided surgical instrument includessimultaneously cutting the metatarsal and the cuneiform with one or moreembodiments of a surgical instrument 800. In still further embodiments,simultaneously cutting the metatarsal and the cuneiform with thedouble-sided surgical instrument includes simultaneously cutting themetatarsal and the cuneiform with one or more embodiments of a surgicalinstrument 900. In additional embodiments, simultaneously cutting themetatarsal and the cuneiform with the double-sided surgical instrumentincludes simultaneously cutting the metatarsal and the cuneiform withone or more embodiments of a surgical instrument 1000.

After simultaneously cutting the metatarsal and the cuneiform, themetatarsal and the cuneiform are fixated to one another (block 1410).The metatarsal and the cuneiform may be fixated using any fixationtechnique(s) and/or fixation device(s) that is/are known or developed inthe future. In various embodiments, the metatarsal and the cuneiform arefixated using a fixation device manufactured by Fusion Orthopedics, LLCof Mesa, Ariz.

The various embodiments discussed herein may be practiced in otherspecific forms and the described embodiments are to be considered in allrespects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of thetechnology is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather thanby the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaningand range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within theirscope. That is, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate thatmodifications and/or adaptations to the various aspects may be madewithout departing from the scope of the present technology, as set forthin the following claims.

1. A surgical instrument, comprising: a body comprising a distal end, aproximal end, a first surface, and a second surface; a first pluralityof rows of cutting blades positioned on the first surface; and a secondplurality of rows of cutting blades positioned on the second surface. 2.The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the first surface comprisesa first slope and the first plurality of rows of cutting blades areoriented vertically from zero degrees to fifteen degrees with respect tothe first slope of the first surface.
 3. The surgical instrument ofclaim 2, wherein the second surface comprises one of: a second slopeincluding the second plurality of rows cutting blades orientedvertically from zero degrees to fifteen degrees with respect to thesecond slope of the second surface; and a flat surface including thesecond plurality of rows of cutting blades oriented vertically from zerodegrees to fifteen degrees with respect to the flat surface of thesecond surface.
 4. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein thesecond surface comprises a slope and the second plurality of rows ofcutting blades are oriented vertically from zero degrees to fifteendegrees with respect to the slope of the second surface.
 5. The surgicalinstrument of claim 1, wherein the first surface comprises a first flatsurface and the first plurality of rows of cutting blades are orientedvertically from zero degrees to fifteen degrees with respect to thefirst flat surface of the first surface.
 6. The surgical instrument ofclaim 5, wherein the second surface comprises one of: a second flatsurface including the second plurality of rows of cutting bladesoriented vertically from zero degrees to fifteen degrees with respect tothe second flat surface of the second surface; and a slope including thesecond plurality of rows of cutting blades oriented vertically from zerodegrees to fifteen degrees with respect to the second flat surface ofthe second surface.
 7. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein thesecond surface comprises a flat surface and the second plurality of rowsof cutting blades are oriented vertically from zero degrees to fifteendegrees with respect to the flat surface of the second surface.
 8. Asurgical instrument, comprising: a body comprising a distal end, aproximal end, a first surface, and a second surface; a first pluralityof columns of cutting blades positioned on the first surface; and asecond plurality of columns of cutting blades positioned on the secondsurface.
 9. The surgical instrument of claim 8, wherein the firstsurface comprises a first slope and the first plurality of columns ofcutting blades are oriented vertically from zero degrees to fifteendegrees with respect to the first slope of the first surface.
 10. Thesurgical instrument of claim 9, wherein the second surface comprises oneof: a second slope including the second plurality of columns cuttingblades oriented vertically from zero degrees to fifteen degrees withrespect to the second slope of the second surface; and a flat surfaceincluding the second plurality of columns of cutting blades orientedvertically from zero degrees to fifteen degrees with respect to the flatsurface of the second surface.
 11. The surgical instrument of claim 8,wherein the second surface comprises a slope and the second plurality ofcolumns of cutting blades are oriented vertically from zero degrees tofifteen degrees with respect to the slope of the second surface.
 12. Thesurgical instrument of claim 8, wherein the first surface comprises afirst flat surface and the first plurality of columns of cutting bladesare oriented vertically from zero degrees to fifteen degrees withrespect to the first flat surface of the first surface.
 13. The surgicalinstrument of claim 12, wherein the second surface comprises one of: asecond flat surface including the second plurality of columns of cuttingblades oriented vertically from zero degrees to fifteen degrees withrespect to the second flat surface of the second surface; and a slopeincluding the second plurality of columns of cutting blades orientedvertically from zero degrees to fifteen degrees with respect to thesecond flat surface of the second surface.
 14. The surgical instrumentof claim 8, wherein the second surface comprises a flat surface and thesecond plurality of columns of cutting blades are oriented verticallyfrom zero degrees to fifteen degrees with respect to the flat surface ofthe second surface.
 15. A surgical instrument, comprising: a bodycomprising a distal end, a proximal end, a first surface, and a secondsurface; a plurality of columns of cutting blades positioned on one ofthe first surface and the second surface; and a plurality of rows ofcutting blades positioned on the other one of the surface and the secondsurface.
 16. The surgical instrument of claim 15, wherein the firstsurface comprises a first slope and the one of the plurality of columnsof cutting blades and the plurality of rows of cutting blades areoriented vertically from zero degrees to fifteen degrees with respect tothe first slope of the first surface.
 17. The surgical instrument ofclaim 16, wherein the second surface comprises one of: a second slopeincluding the other one of the plurality of columns of cutting bladesand the plurality of rows of cutting blades oriented vertically fromzero degrees to fifteen degrees with respect to the second slope of thesecond surface; and a flat surface including the other one of theplurality of columns of cutting blades and the plurality of rows ofcutting blades oriented vertically from zero degrees to fifteen degreeswith respect to the flat surface of the second surface.
 18. The surgicalinstrument of claim 15, wherein the second surface comprises a slope andthe other one of the plurality of columns of cutting blades and theplurality of rows of cutting blades are oriented vertically from zerodegrees to fifteen degrees with respect to the slope of the secondsurface.
 19. The surgical instrument of claim 15, wherein the firstsurface comprises a first flat surface and the one of the plurality ofcolumns of cutting blades and the plurality of rows of cutting bladesare oriented vertically from zero degrees to fifteen degrees withrespect to the first flat surface of the first surface.
 20. The surgicalinstrument of claim 19, wherein the second surface comprises one of: asecond flat surface including the other one of the plurality of columnsof cutting blades and the plurality of rows of cutting blades orientedvertically from zero degrees to fifteen degrees with respect to thesecond flat surface of the second surface; and a slope including theother one of the plurality of columns of cutting blades and theplurality of rows of cutting blades oriented vertically from zerodegrees to fifteen degrees with respect to the second flat surface ofthe second surface.